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Copyrighted by 

HOWARD LODGE No. is, /. O. O. F. 

Shelbyville, Ky., 

1897. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

Dedication 6 

Introduction 7 

Program — Fiftieth Anniversary of Howard Lodge 
No. 15 13 

Brother Lynn T. Umber's Address, including the 
History of the Boy John 15 

Brief History of Howard Lodge 8fl 

List : giving names and dates of initiation and death 
of all. members of Howard Lodge from organiza- 
tion to 1897 100 



DEDICATION. 

Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after 
many days* 



To the memory of the officers and members of How- 
ard Lodge, No. 15 I. O. O. F., in and about the years 
1845-46-47, who were so active in the worthy cause of 
Humanit} 7 : 

To Brother Joseph P. Knott, Chairman, and G. W. 
Johnson, William T. Knight, Fielding Neel, and George 
Rowden, the Committee on "The Boy John: " 

To the venerable Brother who wrote the mysterious 
manuscript, completing the broken link in the chain of 
this unique history, and 

To the cause of Odd Fellowship, and its sacred prin- 
ciples, the following strange, but true, recital is respect- 
fully dedicated. 

Howard Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. F., 

Shelbyville, Kentucky. 

Lynn T. Gruber, 1 

Philip J. Beard, \ Committee. 

Camden W. Ballard, J 

1897. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The touching story, unembellished and 
unadorned, which this little book presents, 
goes straight to the heart, and will live in 
the affections of every true Odd Fellow 
who may read the lines, which are hardly 
more than reports of committees, of 
good, true and lovable men, who lived more 
than half a century ago in the village, 
then, of Shelby ville, Ky., and who counted 
it great gain to be humble members of a 
benevolent order, then in the twenty- 
seventh year of its history. 

These conscientious Odd Fellows, whose 
hearts had been quickened by a sense of 
duty in the cause of humanity; who were 
touched by the feeling of a charity which is 
kind; who were humble instruments in the 
hands of an All- Wise and Over-Euling 
Providence in manv acts of kindness and 



8 The Boy John. 

brotherly love — known only within the 
sacred walls of the lodge room to other 
members of this truly Divine Institution, 
little knew the far reaching results of 
the labors which they were conscientiously 
though silently performing, w hen they took 
upon themselves, at the lodge's direction, 
the solving of the then mystery of "the Boy 
John/' in the cause of injured innocence, 
and the righting of a great wrong to a 
feeble creature, but a great soul, held in 
bondage and in slavery. 

It was not the province of Howard Lodge 
No. 15, 1. O. O. F., more than the duty of any 
Christian church in all this broad land— 
"the land of the free and the home of the 
brave ?" — to inquire into and trace the his- 
tory of a waif on God's footstool; who white 
and free-born — being lost to parents whose 
idol, perhaps, he was, and stolen away from 
kindred and holy associations — was cuffed 
and beaten and half fed and miserably 
clothed; his lot cast in with the wicked and 



Introduction. 9 

degraded; his Anglo-Saxon face, features 
and person changed by repeated cruelties 
known only to those who have witnessed 
simitar scenes in the great Southland, and 
performed by a slave dealer, in the years be- 
fore the late Civil War. 

It was but the spirit of the teachings of 
< )dd Fellowship, actively in practice — for 
profession without performance works no 
miracle. 

The members of Howard Lodge had 
taken an obligation "to visit the sick, bury 
the dead, succor and educate the widow and 
orphan," and Howard Lodge was strength- 
ened by a membership who did not forget 
that: 

Whatsoever you find for your hands to do. 

If you do it just right, 

You nothing have lost. 

Whatever the cost, 
As onward you travel this wide world through ! 

Whatsoever is good, it is good to do, 

If you do it just right: 

When foes assail. 

You can not fail, 
Though the wicked with money your pathway strew! 



10 The Boy John. 

Whatsoever is best, it is best to do, 

If you do it just right ; 

You naught have to fear 

If your Conscience be clear : 
Nothing but Heaven is half so true ! 

Whatsoever of labor, or toil you knew, 

If you did it just right, 

All pain will remove, 

By the Master above : 
The portal of Glory will open to You ! 

Imbued with the spirit of Friendship, 
Love, and Truth; quick to see, and prompt 
to execute; this worthy lodge initiated, 
and our faithful brothers carried success- 
fully to completion, the results which are 
so plainly set out on the following page©. 

"Friendship leads to Brotherly Love," 
and the first step one may take when one 
clearly perceives its true meaning, is a de- 
sire, being strong one's self, to support 
and strengthen, succor and relieve the 
weak, the afflicted, the distressed. 

How sincere then must all Odd Fellows 
know our professions to be, when we point 
with love, affection and reverence to those 



Introduction . 11 

of our Order who, in the past, did so much 
for the relief and support of — 

''One ot the least of these my children!" 

If no other act of charity and benevolence 
could be shown as a result of the labors 
of Howard Lodge in the fifty-four years of 
its history, the following simple story, and 
its sequence, would be sufficient to amply 
demonstrate the living, active principles of 
their Trinity of Graces, which are woven 
into a chain, whose key is: 

"Gratefulness to the Creator of the uni- 
verse; faithfulness to the country of your 
nativity or adoption; and fraternity to- 
wards your fellowmen. With these princi- 
ples, in-wrought in the hearts of the peoples 
of earth, what might not be accomplished 
towards the up-building of the races of 
men?" 

Howard Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. F., pub- 
lishes this little work, not because of its 
literary merit, but only for the purpose of 
showing what Odd Fellowship has done, and 



12 The Boy John. 

will ever do, for the relief of the distressed, 
and with the hope that the membership 
throughout this and other lands may be 
able to gather therefrom an additional fact, 
which, if properly used, will further the 
cause, in working as a leaven among the 
masses of men who, as yet, may not have 
embraced the principles we hold and prac- 
tice. 

The occasion which brought to the 
knowledge of the outside world the history 
of the Boy John, was the Seventy-seventh 
Anniversary Celebration of the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, held by Howard 
Lodge No. 15, 1. O. O. F., of Shelby ville, Ky. 
The manner of proceeding is clearly shown 
in the address of Brother Lynn T. Gruber, 
which follows, and the exercises, which 
were held at Layson Hall, April 27, 1896, 
at 8 o'clock p. m. 



Introduction. 13 

1819 1896. 

Seventy-Seventh Anniversary Celebration 

of 

ODD FELLOWS 

BY 

Howard Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. P., 

of shelbyville, ky. 

Layson Hall, April 27, '96, 

8 P. M. 



PROGRAMME OF EXERCISES. 



PART ONE. 



Opening Ode. 
Tune— "Greenville." 

( The audience is requested to join in the singing of this ode.) 
Brethren of our friendly order, 

Honor here asserts her sway, 
All within our secret border 

Must her high commands obey ; 
Join, Odd Fellowship of Brothers, 

In the song of Truth and Love ; 
Leave dispute and strife to others, 

We in Harmony must move. 

Honor to her court invites us, 

Worthy subjects let us prove; 
Strong the chain that here unites us, 

Linked with Friendship, Truth and Love; 
In our hearts enshrined and cherished, 

May these feelings ever bloom- 
Failing not when life has perished, 

Living still beyond the tomb. 



14 The Boy John. 

Opening Prayer by Rev. W> E. Bryce 

Music by the Mandolin Club 

Introductory Address by Rev. B. F. Hungerford 

" THE BOY JOHN;' or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 



PART TWO. 



Sketch The Old Odd Felloiv at Work, with Songs 

Music . . . . by the Mandolin Club 

Closing Ode. 

Tune— "America. " 

( The audience is requested to join in singing this ode and Doxology.) 

Brothers, we thank you all, 
For this your friendly call, 

Our hearts to cheer ; 
May Peace her influence shed, 
And heav'n its wings outspread. 
To guard each brother's head 

From pain and fear. 

Good-night! and as you go, 
Bear hence, and fully show 

Stamp'd on your breast, 
The seal of Friendship pure, 
And Love thro' life t' endure, 
And Truth, which still secure 

With Honor rest. 

Closing Prayer by Rev. Dr. W. T. Poynter 

Long Meter Doxology. 

Benediction by Rev. J. R. Savage 

Mrs. J. F. Bailey, Organist. 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 15 

ADDRESS 

OF 

BROTHER LYNN T. GRUBER, 

DELIVERED AT 

Lay son ha.ll, Shelbyvttte, Ky., April 27, 1896* 



Ladies and Gentlemen, Officers and Broth- 
ers: 

" Tntitr is Stranger ttran Fiction." 

I have no doubt that already there is a 
feeling of disappointment passing through 
the minds of this audience, as you probably 
expected some learned and eloquent orator 
to be introduced to you for the purpose of 
furnishing an hour's entertaining and in- 
structive discourse on the beauties of the 
principles of Odd Fellowship, or on some 
kindred subject. But in place of such a 
speaker, you have before you only a plain, 
blunt fellow-townsman, without preten- 
tion to any of the graces of oratory, but one 
who hopes that you will overlook his short- 



16 The Boy John, 

comings as such, and make proper allow- 
ances for his lack of experience as a public 
speaker, and compliment him by becoming 
deeply interested in the subject which he 
is about to present in the cause of human- 
ity for your consideration. 

Three years ago, while searching the old 
records of Howard Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. P. 
(of this place), for the materials required 
in the collaboration of an article giving the 
history of this lodge, to be read on its 50th 
anniversary celebration (which was held in 
this room, he found a mass of matter 
in a case that at once attracted his atten- 
tion, and caused him to feel and manifest 
a great interest in the subject there pre- 
sented. Since that time, he has never per- 
mitted the subject to pass entirely from his 
mind, but has devoted many leisure mo* 
ments in examining these records, and try- 
ing, in his feeble way, to straighten out 
some of the tangled strands in the skein. 
It was a labor of considerable magnitude. 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 17 

as the entire records of the lodge for a num- 
ber of years were involved; but, at a time 
least hoped for, help came from an unex- 
pected source. I must detail to you this 
circumstance, and thus acquaint you with 
a very remarkable coincidence, and one 
which as yet we have been unable to satis- 
factorily explain. 

A short time ago, your speaker, with only 
four other brothers of this lodge, were 
seated in our lodge room. In an informal 
way the matter of the celebration of this, 
our anniversary, day was being discussed. 
Several plans were suggested to make an 
interesting and instructive entertainment, 
but none seemed to entirely meet the 
wishes of all present, until, by chance, it 
occurred to the mind of your speaker to 
propose the subject which will be brought 
out in the course of the evening. He turned 
to the record book, and read to these 
brothers some complete reports that are 
therein recorded. All became at once in- 

2 



18 The Boy John, 

terested in the case, and it was discussed 
at some length; and much regret was ex- 
pressed by all at the lack of a few links 
needed to complete the chain. Only a few 
days after this informal meeting, there was 
received through the mail a package, ad- 
dressed to the officers and members of 
Howard Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. P., Shelby- 
ville, Ky. Upon opening it, what was our 
surprise at finding the communication 
headed, "What I know about the Boy 
John." It was a manuscript of forty-five 
pages, giving in a complete and narrative 
form the connected history, which, in our 
records of the case, was in a rather discon- 
nected order. The work had evidently been 
written a number of years ago, as the ink 
showed the signs of age. 

It was enclosed in a home-made envelope, 
the glue plainly showing that the package 
had been sealed for years. It was dated 
and postmarked from a little town in 
Western Nebraska, but had no marks upon 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 19 

it which enabled us to form any idea who 
had sent it. And we do not now know 
from whom it came, but it is our opinion 
that it was found in the effects of an old 
Odd Fellow with directions to forward it 
to Howard Lodge after his death. The 
writer, whoever he was, must have been a 
former member of this lodge, and have had 
access to our records, as there is a great 
deal of matter in the narrative which could 
only have been obtained from our records. 
I know that there are several persons pres- 
ent to-night, and several more in this com- 
munity, to whom much of this story will 
be familiar, and who will be able to con- 
vince the most skeptical person that this 
is a true history of the Boy John as far as 
they know that history. Until to-night 
they never had an opportunity to hear what 
was the final outcome of the affair, which 
had been undoubtedly common talk in this 
community fifty years ago. The dates in 
the manuscript were left blank, but a note 



20 The Boy John, 

stated where we could find the correct 
dates, and we have filled all of the blanks 
with those dates. 

I will now read a true and accurate copy 
of the manuscript received; the reports of 
special and standing committees to the 
lodge, and other matter pertaining to the 
case, making this preliminary statement: 
That this is not a story founded on facts 
amplified and colored to suit the taste of 
a morbid public curiosity, but it is a per- 
fectly true account of what really occurred 
without embellishment, and is abundantly 
substantiated by our records. 

THE MYSTERIOUS MANUSCRIPT. 

"At a meeting of Howard Lodge No. 15, 
I. O. O. F., located at Shelbyville, Ky., held 
during the early part of the winter of 1846, 
we had the lodge room filled to its utmost 
capacity. Indeed, so crowded was the 
room that an empty seat could not be 
found. This lodge was at that early date 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 21 

a very strong one in its membership, and 
counted on its roll a long list of bright and 
zealous brothers, who prided themselves in 
being always present at its meetings; con- 
sequently, at every gathering of the Order 
the room was well filled. But on this par* 
ticular evening it was unusually crowded, 
it being the night for the election of offi- 
cers, with many willing and anxious 
brothers as candidates for the various 
chairs. Oh! how the faces of those old 
brothers, beaming with the cardinal vir- 
tues of our order — 'Friendship, Love and 
Truth' — present themselves to my memory 
as I write these lines. Many of them have 
closed the life of 'Faith, Hope and Char- 
ity,' and have passed from time, to take 
their well-earned places in the Lodge 
above. I believe that one other brother, 
who is still a useful member of the old 
lodge, and myself are all that are left of 
those who had congregated in the lodge 
room on the night mentioned. At the 



22 The Boy John, 

usual stage of proceedings for such busi- 
ness, the Noble Grand arose in his place, 
and in a low, sad voice, read: <I charge 
Brother George McDavitt with conduct 
unbecoming an Odd Fellow. Specifica- 
tion: That the accused Brother George Mc- 
Davitt has taken into his custody on the 
order of Mr. George, and sold into slavery, 
a certain boy called John, which boy is sup- 
posed to be the son of white parents, born 
free, and without the taints of negro 
blood/ On the reading of the charge, the 
brothers were struck with astonishment. 
Incredulity was depicted on every face. 
Why! Brother McDavitt accused of such 
a crime ? Impossible! Brother McDavitt 
was almost the idol of the lodge; one of the 
most beloved, useful and popular of its 
members, and deservedly so; for he was a 
big-hearted, generous, noble man, and a 
good Odd Fellow, with all that that name 
implies. 

"Each heart in that room responded 



Or Timth is Stranger titan Fiction. 23 

'not guilty/ to the accusation, and every 
one felt that Brother McDavitt could not be 
guilty of so black a crime. Was a brother 
sick, at his bedside Brother McDavitt was 
sure to be found; his presence was greeted 
with a happy smile by the afflicted brother; 
his fingers were softest to the fevered brow; 
his sympathizing face could best chase 
away the aches and pains of disease. Was 
a brother in distress? If so, he had only to 
whisper his wants to Brother McDavitt, 
and the brother's big heart swelled with 
benevolence, and was anxious to relieve 
him. And often had he stood by the last 
resting place and assisted the brothers of 
the lodge to consign a departed brother, or 
brother's wife, to the grave — 'Ashes to 
Ashes, Dust to Dust.' This charge could 
not be true. Brother McDavitt was too 
good a man, too true an Odd Fellow, to be 
guilty of such an outrage. Oh, no! 

"On the reading of this charge and speci- 
fication, the Noble Grand appointed the 



24 The Boy John, 

usual committee of investigation, who 
gave the requisite notice to the accused 
brother, and appointed a time and place for 
hearing the evidence in the case. Brother 
McDavitt was then in Vicksburg, Miss., 
and, at his request, the court of investiga- 
tion was adjourned from week to week, un- 
til his return home, for the brother was a 
trader, and took charge of stock, such as 
horses, mules, and sometimes negroes, to 
sell on commission in the southern mar- 
kets. This fact was an evidence of his high 
standing in his native place for truth and 
honesty. At last, early in the spring of 
1847, all parties being ready for trial, the 
committee proceeded to the collection of 
the evidence. The first witness called to 
the stand was Brother John Oleminson 
(who operated a rope walk on the place 
now occupied by Mr. J. O. Beckham). He 
deposed as follows: 'My business is that 
of a manufacturer of rope and bagging, 
I know a boy called John; I suppose him to 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 25 

be the same boy mentioned in the charge 
against Brother McDavitt. I hired the boy 
from Mr. George by the month. I had him 
in my factory for two or three months. The 
boy was a very bright mulatto; I would 
suppose from his complexion that he had 
some negro blood in his veins. His hair 
did not indicate the taints of the negro, 
neither did his features nor the expression 
of his face. He was a well formed and 
finely developed boy, with manners supe- 
rior to those of a negro. I would suppose 
him to be between twelve and four- 
teen years old. I have heard my 
hands say that the boy claimed to be white, 
but I never heard him allege such a claim. 
I delivered the boy to Mr. George McDavitt 
on the presentation of an order from Mr. 
George, the boy's master.' (The order was 
here presented and with the consent of the 
witness made part of the evidence.) 

"A few other witnesses were called to 
prove the identity of the boy, his general 



26 The Boy John, 

appearance, and other minor facts. The 
last witness introduced on the part of the 
prosecution was a negro man— a slave to 
the boy's master — who was, after much per- 
suasion, induced to come to town late on a 
Saturday night, in order to give his evi- 
ience. He gave his name as 'Ike.' 'Could 
not tell his age; was raised by Massa 
George; Massa George owned his mother. 
He knowed Massa George's boy John; 
Massa had raised the boy John ever since 
he was three or four years old, maybe five 
or six.' 

"Question. 'Do you know how your mas- 
ter came to own the boy?' 'Yes, sah.' 
'Well, tell us all about it.' 'Well, sah, one 
evening Massa George, he war setting out 
on de porch, and he say, "Ike, what smoke 
is dat down dar in the woods?" I say, "I 
dunno, Massa George; speks dat he some 
mover's smoke." Then Massa George he 
say, "Bring round de pony, and I go see." 
So I bring round de pony, and Massa 



, 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 27 

George he get on de pony, and go thro de 
woods, an I follow him to see, too, but you 
bet dat old Massa he don't know dat I fol- 
low him. When I got most down to de 
smoke, I seed a tolerable old man, and an 
old woman, with three or four children, a 
setting by de fire; an de most broken down 
wagon, an de poorest old hoss, dat I ebber 
did see; an old Massa he was standing by 
de fire, talking to de old man. Den I squat 
down behind some old logs, an I heared 
old Massa ax de old man whar he come 
from. An de old man he say, "From North 
Carolina; and we is mighty poor, we is; an 
we are a gwine to Indiana, if we ever can 
get dar.' J Then old Massa he say, "Youse 
got some fine boys here." De old man say, 
"Yes." Old Massa say, "I want a nice boy 
to run about de house; s'posin' you sell me 
one? Fll make a man out of him." De old 
man, he say "No." Den old Massa, he say, 
"I gib you dis nice pony and twenty dol- 
lars for dis boy, dat you calls John." Den 



28 The Boy John, 

de old man he talk to de old woman, and 
after a good long time, de old man, he say 
dat he was willing to sell de boy, if old 
Massa promised to make a man outen of 
him. Den I went home to de cabin.' 

"'Well, tell us what happened after that V 
'Well, Massa, I goes to de cabin, an after 
a good while I hear Massa George holler 
out, "Ike!" An I say "Coming, Massa 
George." When I go up to de house, Massa 
George say, "Ike, dem movers down dap in 
de woods, dey am mighty poor white folks, 
an dare old hoss am most dead; I speck dat 
I must gib dem my pony." I say "Law, 
me, Massa George, you ain't gwine to gib 
de pony away am you?" He say, "Yes." 
Then he told me to take de saddle and 
bridle off en de pony, an take them de pony, 
an say I gibs dem de pony. Well, I taked 
de pony, an went to de camp to de old man, 
and I say to him, "Old Massa say he gives 
you dis pony." De old man he took de 
pony, but nebber said nothing. I seed de 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 29 

old woman a sitting by de fire, an she was 
a cryin; an den I went back to de cabin/ 

"Question. 'Now, Ike, tell us when you 
saw the boy next?' 'Well, next day, I go 
over to de old place to plow de corn, an I 
work dar most two weeks; when I come 
back to de new place, I seed de little boy 
running out in de yard, an I knowed him 
was de same little boy dat I seed dat night 
down with de movers.' Question. 'How 
did your master treat the boy?' 'Well, 
old Massa, he make de boy go out in de 
sun, and de rain, most all de time without 
no hat, an nothing on he back cepting an 
old shirt what was mighty ragged, all de 
summer an de fall, clear up till most holi- 
day time — all de time dat I knowed him.' 
Question. 'How long was that, Ike?' 'A 
long time, five or six, maybe seben years. 
Last year, Massa he hired John to Massa 
John Cleminson, an dat am de last time 
dat I ever seed John.' 

"Brother McDavitt testified, in his own 



30 The Boy John, 

behalf, 'That he had taken a boy to sell on 
commission from Mr. George. That Mr. 
John Oleminson had delivered the boy to 
him on the order of Mr. George; that the 
boy was named John. He was a very 
sprightly boy; a very bright colored boy, 
well grown and finely developed, and of 
more than ordinary intelligence for a boy 
raised as a slave. But he had no reason to 
suppose him to be white, and had no suspi- 
cions that the boy was the son of white par- 
ents. Had understood from Mr. George that 
he had raised the boy. He had never seen the 
boy until Mr. Oleminson delivered him on 
the order of Mr. George. Had sold the boy 
to a Mr. McNeill, residing in one of the back 
counties of Mississippi, for two hundred 
and fifty dollars/ 

"And thus the investigation closed, and 
the evidence was reported back to the lodge 
by the committee, with a resolution acquit- 
ting the accused. On the final trial of 
Brother McDavitt by the lodge, after a 



Or Truth is Stranger tlmn Fiction. 31 

lengthy discussion, and a careful examina* 
tion of the evidence, the resolution offered 
by the committee was adopted, and the 
brother declared innocent of the crime 
charged against him. Brother McDavitt 
shortly after his trial obtained a with- 
drawal card and removed to the South, 
where he died a short time after this. The 
acquittal of the accused brother left the 
lodge profoundly interested in the fate of 
the boy John. It was very evident that a 
great cruelty and injustice had been in* 
flicted on a fellow being. That the boy 
was the same one purchased by the man 
George, as testified to by the colored man, 
Ike, was undoubted. This was further 
substantiated by the numerous rumors that 
were rife through the entire community. 
That the boy had been exposed to the sun 
and weather without clothing for years, 
was fully proven, and that this exposure 
was for the purpose of bronzing him into 
the appearance of a mulatto was the just 



32 The Boy John, 

inference. We all knew the sordid nature 
of the man George, and many believed that, 
for gold, he would barter away his own 
soul. What was the lodge to do ? Indeed, 
what could it do? Under the head of 'Has 
any brother anything to offer for the good 
of the order?' the question came before the 
lodge, and, after long debate, the brothers 
determined to investigate the case as far as 
practicable, and a committee of five were 
appointed on the case, and called 'The 
Committee on the Boy John.' In those 
early days of Odd Fellowship, the secretary 
of the lodge kept what was designated a 
committee book, in which was recorded the 
various committees of the lodge, under 
their appropriate heads. When reports 
from committees were called for, the secre- 
tary would turn to this book, and call the 
various committees, with the name of their 
chairman. Night after night, week after 
week, until it almost became a jest, the 
secretary would call out, 'Committee on 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 33 

Boy John; Past Grand Knott, chairman/ 
The brother would report progress, and 
ask for further time, which would be 
granted, but against the wishes of some of 
the brothers, who were opposed to the in- 
vestigation on the grounds that it was out- 
side of the duties of the order, and who 
wished the committee discharged. With- 
out much apparent success, the committee 
were still busily at work, and that with 
great zeal. On the night of their appoint- 
ment, the chairman had, by resolution, 
asked for the power to employ an agent to 
investigate, examine and hunt up evidence, 
which request was promptly granted by 
the lodge. On the first meeting of the 
committee, after due consultation, and act 
ing under the advice of an eminent attor- 
ney, Past Grand G. W. Johnson, who was 
one of the committee (and afterward 
Grand Master of the state of Ken- 
tucky in 1851) it was determined that 
the best course to pursue was to try 



34 The Boy John, 

to find the parents of the boy, or, failing in 
this attempt, to trace them back to where 
they came from, and thus possibly ascer- 
tain their names, and their present resi- 
dence. To effect this, Past Grand William 
T. Knight offered his services to the com- 
mittee, free of cost to the lodge; his offer 
was gladly accepted. After obtaining from 
the colored man, Ike, as accurate a descrip- 
tion of the party of movers as he could give 
and also their outfit, he determined to at- 
tempt to trace them back to their original 
starting place in North Carolina, and thus 
probably be able to discover from their 
former acquaintances their names and 
their place of residence in Indiana. So 
providing himself with a good roadster, he 
went back on the usual route of immi- 
grants from that state bound for Indiana, 
a distance which he considered as a fair 
day's journey for such a company. He then 
halted and commenced his search for infor- 
mation of them. After several days spent 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction, 35 

in fruitless efforts, he at last found a gen- 
tleman residing at the mouth of 'Six Mile 
Creek,' a small stream entering the Ken* 
tucky river about twenty miles below 
Frankfort, who thought that he recollected 
such a party having camped on his grounds 
for two or three days, being detained on 
account of the illness of some one of the 
family. He thought that it was about six 
or seven years since, or about the years 
1839 or 1840. The wife of the gentleman 
distinctly remembered having visited the 
sick family, and her description of them 
corresponded very nearly with that of the 
negro man, Ike. This clue, although very 
faint, encouraged him in his search, and 
with great difficulty he was able to follow 
up the trail, almost to the borders of the 
state. But in the mountainous portions of 
Kentucky, near Cumberland Gap, he finally 
lost all trace of them. Returning home, 
he reported to the committee all of the 
items and information that he had been 



36 The Bay John, 

able to obtain regarding the family of im- 
migrants, and manifested a disposition to 
abandon the search; but on the earnest so* 
lieitation of the committee, he consented 
to attempt to trace the family of movers 
to their place of residence in Indiana, pre* 
suming that they had gone to that state, 
as the old man had said that was his desti- 
nation. So, starting out, he again suc- 
ceeded in falling on their track, which he 
followed until he arrived at the Ohio river, 
near West Port, Oldham county, Kentucky, 
at which point he lost all trace of them, 
and discontinued his search in that direc- 
tion. On his return from this trip he re* 
ported to the committee this second failure 
of his mission of love, and they were on the 
point of making a final report to the lodge, 
and ask to be discharged. 

"And now let us drop a tear to the mem- 
ory of Past Grand Joseph P. Knott, the 
zealous chairman of this committee. He 
was a man of commanding excellences; he 






Or Truth is Stranger tiwn Fiction. 37 

possessed the respect, the esteem and the 
love of all who knew him ; he comprehended 
the full meaning of the words, 'Friendship, 
Love and Truth,' and practiced those vir- 
tues in all of the walks of life. He was a 
man of faith, in whose heart hope was an 
anchor sure and steadfast, while charity 
was his second nature. His course is run, 
his well spent life ended. His bark has 
landed on the other shore, and doubtless 
he now sings the song of redeeming love in 
loftier strains, and shouts his anthems of 
praise in louder notes than angels ever dare 
to shout, or sing their song of Hosanna to 
the Highest. This grand old Patriarch 
was the chairman of the committee on the 
boy 'John,' and he filled the position with 
ability and dignity. As intimated above, 
the committee were greatly discouraged; 
their labors had resulted in no tangible 
good. Had we succeeded in finding the 
parents of the boy, then the man George 
could have been prosecuted; the boy set at 



38 The Boy John, 

liberty with a large sum of money given 
him as damages; the cruel master could 
have been exposed, and punished with a 
place in the state prison. But we had failed 
in all our efforts, and our hopes had van* 
ished like the baseless fabric of a dream. 
We could do no more; all of our time and 
money had been wasted, and the oppressed 
and wronged boy must linger on in his 
bondage. Make your report, Mr. Chair- 
man, and ask for the discharge of the com- 
mittee, was our determination. Then it 
was that Past Grand Knott came to the 
rescue, and awoke in us new hope. He 
said, 'why not gather up all these docu- 
ments, and with them go to the boy's pres- 
ent master, tell him what we believe, and 
give him the reason of our belief; tell him 
what we know, and how we gained our in- 
formation. Show him what we have done, 
and what we wanted to do if we had the 
ability. I still trust in human nature. 
Throw ourselves on his liberality, appeal to 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 39 

his sense of justice, and let him decide the 
boy's fate. I know nothing about Mr. Mc- 
Neill, but he belongs to the great brother- 
hood of man, and he may at least do some- 
thing to mitigate the woes and lessen the 
horrors of this poor boy's undeserved servi- 
tude. We can do nothing more than this, 
and I think that we should at least try this 
plan, before giving up the case.' The sug- 
gestion of the chairman met the hearty ap- 
proval of the committee, and his plan was 
unanimously adopted. While he, true to 
the promptings of his great humanity, 
kindly consented to act as our delegate. 
Past Grand Knott, being furnished by 
the lodge with a certified copy of the evi- 
dence collected in the trial of Brother Mc* 
Davitt, as well as with the various reports 
of Past Grand Knight to the committee, 
and also with letters from prominent mem- 
bers of the lodge vouching for his high 
standing in the community, having thus 
prepared himself, he started on his mission 



40 The Boy John, 

of love early in the summer of 1847. For- 
tunately, Brother McDavitt in his testi- 
mony had given the address of Mr. McNeill, 
so that the difficulty of finding him was 
not great. On his arrival at Mr. McNeill's 
residence, he found a genial, kind looking, 
elderly gentleman, who treated him with 
the utmost hospitality. Taking some time 
in arranging mentally a proper w T ay to an- 
nounce the object of his visit, and having 
determined on his plan of broaching the 
subject of his mission, he very quietly asked 
Mr. McNeill if he had not some years since 
purchased at Yicksburg, Miss., a mulatto 
boy by the name of John. 'Yes, sir, I pur- 
chased such a boy the last time that I was 
in Vicksburg, in the winter of 1845/ 'Have 
you the boy still in your possession?' 'Yes, 
sir, I still own the boy. The fact is, that 
when I brought the boy home, he was sent 
on out to the plantation with my other 
hands. After awhile I found out from the 
reports of my overseer that the negroes 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 41 

were treating him badly, but supposing 
that they would change their treatment of 
the boy after knowing him better, I took no 
notice of it, but as they continued their 
harsh treatment, I determined to interfere. 
So, upon questioning one of my old ser- 
vants, I found from his answers that the 
negroes were prejudiced against him, be- 
cause he claimed that he was a white boy, 
and that he was too proud to associate with 
them. On learning this, and as the boy 
was very bright, I concluded to make a 
house servant of him, and there he is' 
(pointing to a boy as he passed by them). 
"Imagine, if you can, the feelings of 
Brother Knott as he gazed on the object 
of his search, and realized that in a very 
short time the hopes of months would be 
either fulfilled or shattered. Brother 
Knott now requested a private interview 
with him, on important business, which 
was granted. On being shown to the 
library, or sitting room, Brother Knott, in 



42 The Boy John, 

as intelligent and concise a manner as pos- 
sible, stated the object of his visit, the sus- 
picions of himself and others as to the boy 
being wrongfully held in slavery, and then 
he handed him his letters of credence, the 
certified copy of the evidence in the Mc- 
Davitt case, and the several reports of Past 
Grand Knight to the committee. Mr. Mc- 
Neill perused these documents with great 
care and with apparent interest. After he 
, heard Brother Knott go over the evidence 
again, and had studied the case with more 
care, making some memoranda, and asking 
for some explanations, he remarked : ' You 
have made out a very strong case in the 
boy's favor; suppose that we call him in and 
see if he can throw any light on his early 
history V Ringing a bell, he ordered John 
to be sent into him. On the entrance of 
the boy, his master questioned him about 
his duties in the house, how he liked the 
change from the cotton fields to the dining 
room, and thus continued his conversation 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 43 

until the timidity of the boy was partly 
overcome. Then he said: 'John, I want 
you to tell me what you remember about 
yourself when you were a little boy/ The 
boy looked frightened at this command. 
'Sit down, now, and try to tell me all you 
can recall of your childhood/ 

"The boy took a seat, still looking con* 
fused and doubtful. His master said to 
him: 'Don't be frightened, try to think, 
and tell me, if you can, what you remember 
of yourself when you were a little boy/ 
The boy still hesitated. After a few mo- 
ments, his master said to him : 'Do you re- 
member when you were a little boy of hav- 
ing been with a man, a woman and some 
children, with a wagon and an old horse; 
of going through the woods, and along the 
roads, day after day for a long time and at 
night sitting around the fire in the woods?' 
The boy, with a far away look, finally said: 
'Yes, sir, I think that I do.' 'Well, John, 
can you recollect anything that happened 



44 The Boy John, 

during all of this time?' 'Yes, sir, we once 
camped by a river, and some of us were 
sick, and a lady came to see us.' 'Do you 
remember anything else?' 'Yes, sir, I re- 
member that one night we camped in the 
woods, and Mr. George, the man who sent 
me down the river, came to see us.' 'Do you 
know what you did that night?' 'Yes, sir, 
I rode on a pony before Mr. George to a 
big house, and he put me in a room by my- 
self, and kept me there for I don't know 
how long, and then he let me out and I 
played in the yard.' 'Now, John, after all 
this, when you were older, what do you re- 
member; and how did Mr. George treat 
you?' After a few minutes' thought, he 
said: 'I first remember myself as a little 
boy running about the yard and pastures 
all day, without hat or clothes, except a 
short ragged shirt. At night Mr. George 
locked me in a room by myself. When I 
grew older, I used to work in the corn and 
tobacco fields, and plow and clean the 



Or Truth is Stranger thin Fiction. 45 

stables; but always without a hat or clothes 
to wear, except in winter time, then he gave 
me clothes, but no hat. He never allowed 
me to go off the place, nor to play with the 
other children. I was hired to a Mr. 
Clagett Stout for some time, and then just 
a short time before I was brought down the 
river Mr. John Oleminson came to Mr. 
George and he hired me to Mr. Oleminson, 
who took me in his wagon to a place called 
a rope walk, where I worked until one day 
Mr. McDavitt, the man who sold me to you, 
came to see Mr. Oleminson, and he took me 
away when he left, and then carried me to 
Louisville, and on down the river to New 
Orleans, where I was put in jail and kept 
there for some time. He sold several of 
the other slaves in New Orleans, but after 
keeping us there for some time he brought 
the balance of us back up the river to 
Vicksburg. There we were put up and 
sold on the block, and you bought me.' 
"Both McNeill and Knott were struck 



46 The Bvy John, 

with the boy's clear, but simple narrative, so 
completely corroborating the testimony of 
the negro man, 'Ike.' After a few minutes' 
thought, Mr. McNeill turned to the boy and 
said: 'John, this gentleman has come all 
the way from your old home to see me about 
you. He, as well as those who sent him, 
think that you are a white boy.' As quick 
as lightning the boy sprang to the center 
of the room, with both hands raised, and 
his face beaming with joy, he cried out: 
'There, I knew that I was a white boy.' 
'Yes, John,' the master said, 'I believe that 
you are. Go to the dining room.' 

"The two men sat confronting each other 
for minutes; to Brother Knott they seemed 
as hours. Neither of them spoke, but 
Brother Knott saw from the face of his host 
that a terrible conflict was raging in his 
mind. At last Mr. McNeill broke the silence 
by saying: 'Mr. Knott, I will not keep the 
boy an hour longer as my servant. No, sir, 
not for twice his cost. Something must be 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 47 

done for him; what it is, I am not now pre- 
pared to say. Can you suggest what should 
be done?' Mr. McNeill had conquered 
himself. Brother Knott, with eyes over- 
flowing with tears, simply said: 'Do as 
you would be done by/ Then Mr. McNeill, 
fully as much affected as Mr. Knott, re- 
plied: 'The evidence and other documents 
which you have furnished, substantiated so 
completely by the simple statements of the 
boy, compel me to believe that a great in- 
justice has been inflicted on him. I can 
not doubt for a moment that he is the vic- 
tim of man's inhumanity to man, and that 
he is what you suppose him to be, a white 
boy. Unhappily for him, he can not undo 
this great wrong that has been done him 
by a resort to the courts of his country. 
Law was once my profession and I am well 
aware of the fact that, if I so determine, 
there is no earthly tribunal powerful 
enough to wrest him from my possession. 
But my very nature revolts against holding 



48 The Boy John, 

one as a slave who was born as free as my- 
self. And I repeat my first decision, and 
still say that I will not keep him as a slave. 
I must determine on some mode by which 
this great wrong may be rectified, and the 
dictates of justice and humanity complied 
with. You must stay with me until it is 
accomplished, even if it takes a month to 
do it.' Brother Knott told him that he 
could not remain from home for a month, 
but that he was willing to stay a week. 'A 
week will do,' replied Mr. McNeill; and 
thus Brother Knott became his guest for a 
week. Meanwhile Brother Knott was 
wondering within himself what Mr. Mc- 
Neill would do with the boy John. Two 
days had passed away, and his host had not 
mentioned the subject, except in a casual 
way, and then without any intimation of 
what his intentions were; consequently, he 
was growing somewhat uneasy. On the 
morning of the third day he discovered that 
Mr. McNeill had left the plantation, taking 



Or T) % uth is Stranger than Fiction. 49 

the boy John with him, and that he had left 
no message for him. This increased his 
solicitude. After an early dinner, he had 
retired to the library or sitting room to 
enjoy his cigar, and to think over the ob- 
ject of his journey. In a short time he was 
joined by Mr. McNeill, who said that he had 
ridden over to the county-seat and held a 
consultation with his attorney. 'I have 
shown him all of the papers brought by you, 
he has read them carefully. I then had 
John to repeat his story, which he did with- 
out a contradiction. While I became more 
convinced than I was at first that he is a 
white boy, my attorney could not doubt 
the fact of his parentage, and he has ad- 
vised me how to proceed. The conclusion 
of our consultation has been to set the boy 
free, and this I have done, and he is now 
as free as you or myself. I did not invite 
you to accompany me, as I left very earl.y 
and did not wish to disturb your rest. Now, 
I have determined that the following 



50 The Boy John, 

course will be the best for all parties con- 
cerned: I will give John a new name to 
be known by, and I will take him off to 
where none of my neighbors send their chil- 
dren, and give him a good education; and 
should he show sufficient merit when he ar- 
rives at manhood, I will help him on in the 
world as though he were my own son, be- 
cause I feel that an All Wise Providence 
has selected me as the instrument to shape 
the destiny of this poor, unfortunate boy, 
John. Now, Mr. Knott, I do not want a 
knowledge of his former degradation to 
follow him. I have cautioned him not to 
talk about himself to my servants, or any- 
one else. My wife, whose heartiest sympa- 
thies have been aroused by the great af- 
flictions that have been heaped upon this 
poor, unfortunate boy, fully agrees with 
me in my intentions, and is pledged to 
secrecy. Now, I must request you never 
to divulge the name that I give him, or the 
place of his future residence/ Brother 



Or Truih is Stranger than Fiction. 51 

Knott readily made the required promise, 
as he heartily concurred in the course of 
Mr. McNeill and recognized the wisdom of 
the decision to keep the boy's former life 
from following after him. Mr. McNeill 
now said: 'Mr. Knott, I must request you, 
that in making your report to those noble 
men whom you represent, that after you 
give them that full and complete report 
that they are entitled to, you state to them 
my reasons for keeping his name and resi- 
dence a secret. I am confident that they 
will appreciate my motives and endorse 
my course. As I wish all of the pleasure 
and the honor of providing for his future 
life, and I hope his future usefulness, it is 
my intention to be at all of the expense. 
I don't wish you to suppose that I would 
not like to have the money that the boy 
cost me refunded; this, of course, would be 
right, but it would cost more to attempt its 
recovery than I am willing to pay. Espe- 
cially as it is doubtful if I could plead a 



52 The Boy John, 

cause of action, because you tell me that 
Mr. McDavitt is dead, leaving no estate 
from which I could realize the money. I 
can not prosecute the man George, be- 
cause the evidence of the negro is not ad- 
mitted in the courts of your state. I have 
no recourse on any one, so that is all set- 
tled. The boy is free and I am glad that 
I had the privilege of giving him his free- 
dom. 

" 'Your lodge has acted nobly in this 
thing, and has exhibited great interest in 
the cause of humanity, as it is a fact be- 
yond contradiction that had it not been for 
the zealous work of your lodge, this great 
wrong would never have been righted. 
Tell your lodge that if they are able to do 
so, to send me one-half of the purchase 
money of the boy, and I will expend it en- 
tirely for his benefit. If they are unable 
to do this, and you tell me that they are, 
it don't matter. For their kindness, zeal 
and noble humanity, I will ever remember 
them with the greatest pleasure/ 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 53 

"So, everything being properly and satis- 
factorily arranged, Brother Knott began 
to prepare for his return home. On the 
morning of his departure, Past Grand 
Knott was joined by Mr. McNeill, accom- 
panied by John, who was very neatly dressed 
and made a very respectable appearance. 
Going overland to Memphis, they proceeded 
from that place to a small town in the in- 
terior of the state of Tennessee, where John 
was placed in a good school, and advised 
to say nothing whatever about his early 
life. After accomplishing this Brother 
Knott parted from Mr. McNeill and re- 
turned home. The committee were called 
together for the last time. Their names 
were Past Grands Joseph P. Knott, George 
W. Johnson, W. T. Knight, Fielding Neel 
and George Rowden. The final report was 
drawn up by the chairman and signed by 
the committee, preparatory to its presen- 
tation to the lodge. As the brothers of 
the lodge had knowledge of the interesting 



54 The Boy John, 

character of the report, the room was filled 
at the next meeting of the lodge. On the 
reading of Past Grand Knott's communi- 
cations detailing a history of his mission 
and its favorable results, and telling of the 
noble generosity of Mr. McNeill, there were 
very few dry eyes among those who heard 
him. The report was received and adopted 
and the committee, after a faithful service 
for nearly two years, were discharged. 

"As the lodge was not able to do so, and 
if able, could not appropriate the money 
without the consent of the Grand Lodge, 
the part of the purchase money was not 
sent to Mr. McNeill, but Brother Knott's 
bill was allowed and ordered paid, this of 
itself amounting to a considerable sum. 

"Brothers, long years after this, in a far 
distant place, I stood by the bedside of the 
man George, while he breathed his life 
away. As I gazed on his quivering lips, 
and into his tearful eyes, I wondered if he 
had no thoughts for the poor boy that he 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 55 

had so cruelly wronged. And as I helped 
to lower his body into its last resting place, 
I softly said to myself: 'Now, go! face the 
Grand Master of the universe, and see if 
the poor boy that you sold for gold will not 
stand beside you as an accuser. You never 
made him any restitution in this life; you 
must be condemned in the future one, and 
the gold that you have worshiped in this 
life will be no gold in that other world!' 

"Brother James McDavitt was a nephew 
of George McDavitt and was a member of 
this lodge at the time of the incidents here- 
tofore narrated. He had accompanied his 
uncle on the trip to Vicksburg when the 
boy John was sold, and thus became ac- 
quainted with Mr. McNeill, and, of course, 
also knew John. And after the trial of his 
uncle by the lodge, he knew all about the 
singular history of John. After the re- 
moval of his uncle he studied law, and was 
admitted to the bar as an attorney. Some- 
time after this he located in Memphis, Ten- 



M The Boy John. 

nessee. In a letter that I received from 
him in the year 1869, he informed me that 
he had seen Mr. McNeill in the city of Mem- 
phis, and had asked him about John. The 
old gentleman's eves sparkled with delight, 
as he informed him that John was a pi 
perous planter, and accumulating a for- 
tune, but better still, commanding the re- 
spect and esteem of all of his neighbors. 
He cheerfully gave Mr. McDavitt these 
facts, but he positively refused to tell his 
name, or give the place of his residence. 
Since the war I have never heard of John, 
as the brother at Memphis fell in the battle 
of Iuka, and I know of no person able to 
furnish me any further information. F 
sibly John was swallowed up in the great 
revolution that convulsed this country. 
Perhaps he fell, wearing either the blue 
or the gray; if so, peace to his ashes! Pos- 
sibly he may be alive, I can not say. But, 
whatever his fate, he certainly owes much 
to Odd Fellowship — and that without 
knowing it." 



Tridh k Stranger than Fiction, 

This, niy friends, concludes the mysteri- 
ous manuscript which we had received. 
You will notice that the writer leaves the 
fate of "John" in an unsettled, uncertain 
shape. Of this we will show more fur- 
ther on. 

As I stated in the beginning, we do not 
as yet know who wrote or sent the manu- 
script, but I will say that in a few days we 
are confident the committee will know all 
about it. 

It has been thought best at this point to 
introduce some material from the records 
of our lodge, which corroborate the manu- 
script in every particular, and which will 
be of such a character as to convince the 
most skeptical person of the absolute 
truthfulness of the manuscript. Past 
Grand Knott removed from Shelbyville in 
the fall of 1S47. taking with him a with- 
drawal card from our lodge, thus reinov- 
ing from us the only one who would have 
been likelv to know anvrhins: about the fate 



58 The Boy John, 

of the boy John, as he was the only one who 
had corresponded with Mr. McNeill, and 
even he was under the pledge of secrecy as 
to John's name and place of residence. We 
wish to inform you that this Brother Knott 
was the father of our ex-Governor J. Proc- 
tor Knott. I will now read some extracts 
from the records of our lodge applying to 
this case, every part of which is absolutely 
true, and we have the original letters, pa- 
pers and reports signed by the committee. 
Some of these are spread in full on the min- 
utes of the lodge, while others were simply 
noted and filed. The first thing that appears 
upon our records is this: "On motion of 
Brother Past Grand Johnson the following 
resolution was adopted: Whereas, it has 
come to the knowledge of divers members 
of this lodge, as has been stated by them 
in open lodge, that certain rumors prejudi- 
cial to the standing of our Brother George 
McDavitt are in circulation in this com- 
munity, and the lodge believing that an op- 



Or Truth is Stranger tlmn Fiction. 59 

portunity should be given Brother McDa- 
vitt to place himself in a proper light in 
regard to these rumors; Therefore, be it 
resolved that Brothers Joseph P. Knott, 
George W. Johnson, and Fielding Neel, be 
a committee to write to Brother McDavitt, 
stating the whole circumstances as they 
have been detailed to this lodge." 

Some time after this, the committee made 
a report of their work, and the conclusion 
of their report is as follows : 

"We have received a letter from Brother 
McDavitt, and herewith submit it as a part 
of our report. Signed by the committee." 

On motion of Brother Past Grand Hill, 
the letter of Brother McDavitt was ordered 
spread on the minutes, and is as follows: 

"Vicksburg, Miss., January 7, 1846. 
"To Brothers Neel, Knott and Johnson: 

"Sirs and Brothers : I have just received 
a letter from you which very much sur- 
prised me. From the manner in which my 



60 The Boy John, 

name was spelled on the back of it 1 
thought that perhaps it might be a hoax, 
written by some person wishing to find out 
something. The direction on the back was 
to George W. McDaved, which you know is 
erroneous, and the contents were very im- 
perfectly explained. It was in relation to 
a certain yellow boy by the name of 'John,' 
whom I took to the South for Mr. George. 
But if the letter was written by some un- 
known person, I shall send this in such a 
way as to elude his grasp. If it be really 
from you, you shall have the facts freely, 
fairly and fully, for there is no set of men 
in whose hands I could so freely entrust 
my property, character, the reputation of 
my family, and my very life itself, as the 
members of Howard Lodge. As to the boy 
John, I know but little. I never saw him 
until the morning that I left Mr. George to 
go South. The boy was at Mr. Cleminson's 
factory, and as we passed with the other 
negroes, George went in and got him. Mr. 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fictwn. 61 

George had previously described the boy to 
me as being worth $500, and wished me to 
take him in at that price. But I refused. 
So he got me to take him for him, and sell 
him for what I could get. I did so, and 
sold him in Vicksburg for $250, to a Mr. 
McNeill, residing in Red Gulf, Miss. I did 
not charge Mr. George anything for my 
trouble. I kept an account of the boy's ex- 
penses and deducted that and gave Mr. 
George the balance. Mr. George wrote me 
lately to know who I sold the boy to, and 
where the purchaser resided. I replied im- 
mediately, giving him the facts. He ex- 
pressed a desire to buy him back. I had 
heard of such a boy belonging to Mr. 
George for several years. Our Brother, 
Daniel White, told me of Clagett Stout hav- 
ing hired him at one time. I never had any 
idea but that he was a slave for life. Mr. 
George told me how he came by him, but I 
do not now recollect his tale. The boy was 
quite bright, but I have seen other slaves 



62 The Boy John, 

equally as bright. Mr. George never 
showed me any bill of sale for him, nor did 
he give me any. He entrusted the boy en- 
tirely to my honor, that is the sale of him, 
as he had done many matters before, and I 
never abused his confidence. But as far 
as his title to the boy was concerned, or the 
boy being entitled to his freedom, let the 
matter terminate as it may, God knows I 
am innocent of ever suspecting such a 
thing, until the receipt of your letter. In 
Vicksburg, where I sold the boy, I asso- 
ciated with a number of our order, the auc- 
tioneer who sold the boy John, together 
with several other negroes for me, is a mer- 
chant there. His name is John K. Stock- 
man. His firm is Stockman & Painter, 
both good Odd Fellows. I would like for 
you to write to them on the subject. They 
might give some information of the course 
to be pursued by the civil authorities there. 
I know that if Mr. George would buy him 
back, they would give every assistance in 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 63 

their power, and so would other members 
of the order there with whom I was ac- 
quainted, to effect any honorable arrange- 
ment. I wish you to see Mr. George, pri- 
vately, and if it is a fact that he has thus 
imposed upon me, you can apprise him of 
the fact that he has more to dread from the 
account he will have to render to me per- 
sonally, than from any legal proceedings 
which may be preferred against him. As 
this is a matter of vital importance to me, 
you will immediately give me all of the in- 
formation in the case. 

"Yours in F., L. & T., 

"George McDavitt. 
"P. S. — As I entrust the matter entirely 
to your care and arrangement, don't keep 
me in suspense, but give me a detailed ac- 
count immediately, and direct me what to 
do, for my present feelings are to resist 
all civil authority, and to personally de- 
fend my innocence even at the sacrifice of 
my life. Write immediately." 



64 The Boy John, 

After this report the matter was brought 
to trial by the lodge, as set forth in the man- 
uscript that I have read. Only as stated, 
the "Committee on the Boy John," would be 
called, report progress and ask for further 
time. This continued for quite awhile, 
until after a report by the committee giv- 
ing a statement of the situation of the case, 
made on the night of April 26, 1847 — just 
forty-nine years ago last night — it was or- 
dered that a letter be written to the post- 
master at Red Gulf, Miss., inquiring about 
the boy John. The following two letters 
were received in answer to the letter of in- 
quiry: 

"Postoffice Red Gulf, Miss., May 10, 1847. 
"To Jas. L. Ellingwood, Postmaster, Shel- 
by ville, Ky.: 

"Sir: In reply to a letter received from 
Mr. J. P. Knott, he will receive a letter from 
Mr, James McNeill, a wealthy planter, who 
resides near here, and who I think now has 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 65 

the boy that you are in search of in his pos- 
session. Any further information that I 
can give you will be cheerfully given. 
"Yours respectfully, 
"William Dowde, Postmaster." 

" Bed Gulf, Miss., May 11, 1847. 
"Jos. P. Knott, Esq.: 

"Dear Sir: The postmaster of this place, 
Mr. William Dowde, has shown me this 
morning your communication of the 6th 
inst., to him. As I am deeply interested 
in the matter which it contains I beg leave 
to address you in regard to it. Sometime 
in the last fall I purchased a bright mulatto 
boy, about fifteen years of age, bearing the 
name of John, since which time he has 
been working on my plantation, receiving 
the same treatment as negroes generally 
receive on cotton farms in this country. I 
kept him out on my cotton plantation until 
a few weeks ago, when, for satisfactory rea- 
sons, I brought him to my home, and he 



H6 The Boy John. 

has been acting as a dining room servant. 
I bought him at Vicksburg, under the ham- 
mer, for the sum of $250. Who his owners 
were prior to that time I can not say, but 
I think that he was brought down the river 
with some other slaves by a man by the 
name of either McDaniel or McDavitt, I am 
not certain which. Judging from your 
statements I firmly believe that the boy 
John, that I now hold in my possession as 
a slave, is the same boy that you are in 
search of. If I can be of any further ser- 
vice, or you desire any additional informa- 
tion on the subject, you only have to com- 
mand 

"Your obedient servant, 

"James Y. McNeill." 

At the next meeting of the lodge, after 
the receipt of these two letters, the follow- 
ing order was passed: "On motion it was 
resolved that Brother Jos. P. Knott be ap- 
pointed to visit Bed Gulf, Miss., to inquire 



Or Truth is Stranger tlmn Fiction. 67 

for a certain boy by the name of John, sold 
by George McDavitt, as agent for Mr. 
George. This boy was sold as a slave, 
while he is now claimed to be a white boy, 
and, of course, free born. It is further or- 
dered that Brother Knott shall be the agent 
of this lodge, and he is hereby authorized 
and required to take such steps as may be 
necessary to secure to the boy his freedom, 
and restoration to liberty. The Noble 
Grand is hereby authorized to draw his or- 
der on the treasurer for the sum of $50 to 
defray his expenses." It was in obedience 
to this order that Brother Knott made his 
visit to the South. 

We will now give you for your considera- 
tion some extracts from the report made to 
the lodge by Brother Knott on his return 
from this trip. Said report was made on 
the night of June 7, 1847, and was spread 
in full on the minutes of that night. His 
report is as follows : 

"Brothers: In obedience to a resolution 



68 The Boy John, 

adopted May 17, 1847, ordering me to pro- 
ceed to the state of Mississippi, in pursuit 
of a certain boy by the name of John, sold 
by George McDavitt, as the property of 
Mr. George, which boy is thought to be free 
born, I respectfully report as follows, to wit: 
I left Louisville on the morning of the 20th 
of May, on board the steamer 'Yorktown/ 
T. J. Halderman, Master. I landed at Eed 
Gulf, Coahoma county, Mississippi, on the 
morning of the 25th. I soon found the ob- 
ject of my search. I found the boy John 
in the possession of Mr. James Y. McNeill, 
a gentleman of whose noble, generous, 
magnanimous spirit I can not speak in 
terms too high. The boy had a short time 
before my visit been taken from the cotton 
fields and made a house servant. He thus 
fell under the care and keeping of Mrs. Mc- 
Neill, who treats him with all the tender- 
ness and humanity belonging to the most 
amiable of her sex. When the boy was 
presented to me his countenance was so 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 69 

haggard, so cast down, so dejected, I was 
almost induced to believe him insane. I 
put several questions to him in regard to 
persons and subjects with which I knew he 
had once been familiar. Of none of these 
he seemed to have any recollection. The 
next day he came to me and gave me quite 
a rational and correct history of himself, 
from the time he came into the possession 
of Mr. George unto the present time. He 
says "Mr. George took him home in the 
night, and that Mr. George told him to tell 
everybody that his mother was a yellow 
woman, and he was a slave. Mr. George 
told him that he had bought him of Silas 
Payne and had given a horse for him. But 
the boy says that he never knew Silas 
Payne; he has no recollection of ever hav- 
ing seen such a man. He says that while 
he wore a hat, his hair was white and soft 
as any other boy's hair. While Mrs. George 
was living he slept in the house and she 
treated him almost as one of her own f am- 



70 The Boy John, 

ily. When she died, he was put into the fields 
to work without a hat, and was not allowed 
to wear one, either winter or summer. He 
was not allowed any pants during the sum- 
mer months. After working on Mr. 
G eorge's place for some years, he was hired 
out. He was first hired to a man in Tay- 
lorsville, then to Mr. Stout, then put in Dr. 
Parker's brick yard, then hired to Mr. Clem- 
inson. Mr. George took him from Mr. 
Cleminson's and said he was to go and live 
with his brother-in-law down on the river. 
They had not gone far until they met Mr. 
McDavitt with a number of negroes bound 
for the South. They went to Louisville 
and got on a boat and went on down to New 
Orleans, and were there put in jail for sev- 
eral days. Mr. McDavitt sold several of 
the negroes there, but was not able to sell 
all of his gang. He brought me and four 
others back up the river to Vicksburg, and 
there sold me at a public auction to Mr. 
McNeill.' 



Or TridJi is Stranger than Fiction. 71 

"The foregoing is substantially the sim- 
ple statement of the boy. Before I left I be- 
came convinced that the boy's want of rec- 
ollection of past events is not at all remark- 
able. He has during the past six or seven 
years been removed entirely from all of the 
associations of his childhood, and placed 
in an altogether different sphere of life. He 
has eaten, drunk, slept and labored with 
negroes, until he has lost all self respect. 
The miseries of his latter days have eradi- 
cated all recollections of his former days. 
Yet he has never become reconciled to as- 
sociate with the negroes. Upon Sundays 
and other holidays he would go off by him- 
self, too dejected to stay with the white 
family and too proud to equalize himself 
with the negroes. I should have brought 
the boy with me, but, for certain reasons 
that I will give to you verbally, it was 
thought advisable to not do so now. The 
course to be pursued in this matter is for 
the lodge in its wisdom to decide. If 



72 The Boy John, 

thought advisable by the lodge, I would 
ask that the thanks of Howard Lodge be 
tendered to Mr. James McNeill, and Messrs. 
Dowde, postmaster at Red Gulf, Bridewell, 
Keys, Coff ee, Harrington and the good peo- 
ple of Red Gulf generally for their kind and 
courteous treatment of your humble repre- 
sentative. All of which your humble ser- 
vant would submit for the consideration of 
the lodge, in the bonds of Friendship, Love 
and Truth. 

"Joseph P. Knott." 

Our records further say that, after the 
reading of the above report, Brother 
Knott made quite a lengthy verbal report, 
which was intensely interesting, and we 
have no doubt in saying that it was from 
this verbal report the writer of the manu- 
script was enabled to make his paper so 
full and complete. Without the knowl- 
edge derived from this verbal report no one 
could have presented the subject in its pres- 



O Truth is Stranger than Fietion. 73 

ent complete form. From this date there 
appears very little on the subject in our 
records, as on the next meeting of the lodge 
the committee on the boy John were dis- 
charged. 

It will be interesting at this point to in- 
troduce the following testimony, which re- 
cently came to our knowledge: 

There is now living in Shelbyville, Ky., 
an old negro man, who was owned by a 
neighbor and lived on the adjoining farm 
to the one owned by John's master. Think- 
ing that possibly he might know something 
about the case, he was approached a few 
days ago, and asked if he remembered a yel- 
low boy named John who had been owned 
by Mr. George. He replied, "Yes, sir, Fse 
played wid him many a time." "Well, Char- 
lie, what became of him?" "Why, boss, he 
was sold down de river; and don't you 
know, boss, dat boy war no nigger, he war 
white, dat boy wuz jist as white ez you is." 
"Charlie, do you know how Mr. George used 



74 The Boy John, 

to treat John?" "Deed I does, boss. Don't 
you know dat as long as I knowed dat boy, 
he nebber wore no hat, either in summer 
or winter; and in summer time old Mr. 
George neber would 'low him to war any 
briches, but made him go all of de time wid 
only an old ragged shirt on. He would let 
him war briches in de winter time. Boss, 
duz you know why he done him dis way?" 
"No, Charlie, I do not; why was it?" "Well, 
I will tell you why. It wuz so as to tan 
him and make him look like a yallow nig- 
ger." "Well, Charlie, do you know where 
Mr. George got John? Did he own his 
mother?" "No, sir, he nebber owned his 
mother, nor no one ebber did know who his 
mother wuz. I will tell you whar he got 
John. All of us niggers knowed dat. 
Massa George's old 'Ike,' he toll me so he- 
self. He said dat his old Massa he had 
swapped a hoss to some movers for de boy." 
There is in this audience to-night a gen- 
tleman of unquestioned veracity, who is 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 75 

well acquainted with all of the facts in the 
case, as they transpired in this community. 
In fact, John, while at work in the rope 
walk at Shelby ville, turned the twine wheel 
for him. He says that "while John was at 
work for Mr. Cleminson, John made an at- 
tempt to drown himself (being so disheart- 
ened by his enforced servitude) in a pond 
just back of the residence of Mr. Sam 
Brown, but was prevented from accom- 
plishing his purpose. That boy was always 
very much depressed, and never seemed to 
mix much with the negroes." 

And now let us bring the subject down to 
present time. I suppose that a great many 
of you would like to know what finally be- 
came of the boy John. If you will remem- 
ber, the writer of the manuscript, after as- 
certaining from Brother James McDavitt 
in Memphis, that John was then a prosper- 
ous planter in one of the Southern States, 
lost all trace of him. This was shortly be- 
fore the war. We will now see if we can 



76 The Boy John, 

not enlighten you a little more concerning 
the latter days of the boy John. 

Sometime ago the minute book of our 
lodge showed the following: "Ordered, 
that the secretary be and he is hereby al- 
lowed to use the seal of this lodge on such 
letters as he may desire to write in an en- 
deavor to trace the boy John." Having se- 
cured this order, a systematic search for the 
boy slave of long ago was begun. With that 
potent factor in securing accurate and full 
answers to all letters of inquiry, he was 
confident of being able to accomplish the 
desired end; for, it is a fact that nowhere 
in this broad land can a letter of inquiry 
be sent, bearing the seal of an Odd Fellows' 
lodge, but a cheerful and full response will 
be given. So, by the aid of this powerful 
instrument, we are able to present you 
these two pictures: Of course, the first 
thought of any one would be to attempt to 
trace the boy John through the family of 
Mr. McNeill. We find that our trial along 



Or Ttmth is Stranger titan Fiction. 77 

this line does meet with partial suc- 
cess. There repose in one of the beautiful 
cemeteries of the Sunny South the mortal 
remains of hundreds of the chivalrous 
Southern planters. There is also erected 
there a monument, simple, chaste, which 
is rendered very impressive by the inscrip^ 
tion carved into the imperishable granite, 
which reads as follows: "Sacred to the 
memory of James Y. McNeill, who was a 
man." This token of respect had been 
erected by one to whom lie had been more 
than a father, and who will never be able 
to repay the half which he owes him. Be- 
fore the war, Mr. McNeill possessed many 
broad acres, and enormous wealth in the 
slaves that he owned, but the war came on, 
and it seemed to treat Mr. McNeill as Satan 
treated Job; for at the very beginning he 
lost his wife, that noble helpmate of almost 
half a century. His numerous slaves were 
freed; his broad acres were the scene of one 
of those bloody conflicts which occurred in 



78 The Boy John, 

that portion of the country. Pillage and 
spoliation were rife; nothing was spared. 
What could not be used was destroyed. 
And we find that, at the close of the war, 
Mr. McNeill was like unto Job, with no fam- 
ily, no slaves, no broad acres, no money, no 
friends — seemingly. But wait a moment; 
at the time that the horizon seemed dark- 
est, and the outlook the gloomiest, there 
appeared a bright ray of sunshine. The 
bread that Mr. McNeill had cast on the 
waters a score of years before, returned to 
him after many days. A gentleman ap- 
peared, and took to his own home Mr. Mc- 
Neill, who was broken down both in health 
and fortune, and for the few remaining 
years his pathway was strewn with flowers. 
Everything possible was done for him, by 
a gentleman and his wife, through feelings 
of love, respect and gratitude. Can you 
guess who they were? 

We will now raise the veil which dis- 
closes another picture, and let you gaze on 



On* Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 79 

its beauties. Go with us, if you will, to one 
of the rich and prosperous cities of the 
beautiful Southland. We will visit one of 
the most fashionable suburbs of that most 
attractive city. After traveling some dis- 
tance along an avenue, bordered on either 
side by handsome residences, which indi- 
cate that wealth and refinement reign su- 
preme here, we finally arrive at the gate- 
way of a residence equal in all respects to 
any of its neighbors. We pass through the 
gate, and approach the house over a path- 
way rendered fragrant by the odor of the 
stately magnolias, which line the walk on 
both sides. We see before us a handsome 
and palatial dwelling, surrounded in true 
Southern style by wide and airy piazzas. 
We observe, seated in a comfortable chair, 
enjoying his afternoon cigar, a handsome, 
silver haired old gentleman, whose appear- 
ance involuntarily commands our respect. 
After presenting to him letters of intro- 
duction from a mutual friend, we are heart- 



80 The Boy John, 

ily welcomed. We finally lead the conver- 
sation to his own affairs, and endeavor to 
extract from him an account of his life. 
We find that while he is courtesy itself, 
that he speaks with evident pride and 
pleasure of his family and all connected 
with them, and also of his own later life, he 
is very reticent about his early life. In 
fact to a pointed question, "Where were 
you born?" he does not reply, but, giving 
some evasive answer, adroitly changes the 
conversation. After being seated for a 
time a matronly lady makes her appear- 
ance, who is introduced to us as his wife. 
We linger awhile, loth to leave such a 
happy home, and one which so plainly in- 
dicates a prosperous, happy and loving 
family, one in which there is no skeleton 
in the closet. We arise to take our depart- 
ure, after being pressed with true Southern 
hospitality to remain to tea, but we reluct- 
antly bid them adieu, and receive a press- 
ing invitation to call again. We return to 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 81 

the city, and to our hotel. Seated in its 
lobby that night with a party of gentlemen, 
residents of the city, we turn the conversa- 
tion to the old gentleman, to whom we have 
paid such a pleasant visit in the afternoon. 
We find that he has been a resident of the 
city for about twelve years, having 
amassed a competency on his plantation, 
and feeling the weight of years creeping 
upon him, disposed of his plantation and 
removed to the city, in which his children 
were already rising to positions of honor 
and trust. Since his residence here he had 
endeared himself to all who had the pleas* 
ure of his acquaintance. We are informed 
that there is no one in the entire city who 
stands higher among Ms fellow citizens 
than he. Among the party of gentlemen 
with whom we are conversing is one who 
is thoroughly familiar with the family af- 
fairs of the old gentleman, having been 
raised on an adjoining plantation to his. 
From him we learn that the antecedents of 



82 The Boy John, 

the old gentleman are unknown. In fact, 
no one ever knew the place of his nativity. 
Shortly after the war he brought home 
with him an elderly gentleman, by name 
McNeill, whom he called "uncle." This 
"uncle" only lived for a couple of years 
after he came to live with him. It was the 
talk of the neighborhood, the kind and lov- 
ing manner in which this old "uncle" was 
treated. When he died a very fine granite 
monument had been erected to his memory. 
We are also able to glean the following 
facts about the family history of the gen- 
tleman and lady who received us so 
pleasantly in the afternoon. Four chil- 
dren had been born to bless the home of 
this deserving couple, of whom one died at 
an early age. Of the others, there was one 
daughter and two sons. One of the sons 
is now a prominent merchant of that city. 
The other son embarking in the railroad 
business, diligently applied himself to his 
calling, performing all its duties and now 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 83 

occupies the proud and lucrative position 
of general superintendent of one of our 
prominent Southern railway systems. He 
controls successfully a host of men and 
vast financial interests. In the admirable 
administration of his business, he confers 
a great benefit not only to the railroad's 
affairs, but also upon his subordinates and 
to the whole country with which his rail- 
road connects. 

The daughter had married a gentleman 
who, as a politician, has already been hon- 
ored by several positions of honor and re- 
sponsibility, and has created for himself a 
name known far beyond the borders of his 
own state. I am confident that were I to 
call his name here to-night it would be 
recognized by more than one in this audi- 
ence. 

Gaze on this picture, and then turn your 
thoughts back to that little boy who was 
so ruthlessly sold into bondage, and say if 
the transformation is not wonderful! Con- 



84 The Boy John, 

trast, if you please, that little naked, bare- 
headed slave up in Kentucky, with the rici 
and prosperous gentleman that we have 
just shown you! To whom is the transfor- 
mation due? Had it not been for that hu 
manity engendered by the teachings of our 
order in the breasts of those old brothers 
of the long ago — the zeal of their commit- 
tee, and the unselfish, noble hearted philam 
thropy of the sainted McNeill, in the place 
of the rich blessings conferred on that dis- 
tant city, by the pure, noble and spotless 
life of a good citizen, and the benefits aris- 
ing from the lives of his children, we would 
possibly ere this have had a lonely, un- 
marked, unknown grave by the side of 
some stagnant Southern bayou. Or, if not 
this, and he should have lived until now, 
he would more than likely be a poor, igno- 
rant laborer on a cotton plantation, eking 
out a bare existence. Are not every one of 
you glad that those old brothers w clearly 



Or Truth is Stranger titan Fiction. 85 

understood the fundamental principles of 
Friendship, Love and Truth? 

Do you not think that were they here to- 
night and could see the result of their ef- 
forts of fifty years ago, they would feel am- 
ply repaid for their labor, money and time 
spent on behalf of "The Boy John?" 

There is one point that has given us a 
great deal of thought and worry. It is 
whether to make the name now borne by 
the boy John and his present place of resi- 
dence known or not. After mature delib- 
eration we have decided, in respect to the 
wishes of his noble benefactor, Mr. McNeill, 
that he laid the foundation for the future 
usefulness of the "Boy John'- and builded 
wiser than he knew Avhen he requested that 
his name should not be disclosed. And fur- 
ther the making known of these facts could 
be of no actual benefit to any one, but 
would simply be the gratification of a mere 
idle curiosity, and in order to avoid a pos- 
sible cloud being cast on the unblemished 



86 The Boy John, 

escutcheon of that proud and happy South- 
ern family, it is best that all evidence of 
their connection with the boy John be de- 
stroyed. 

And now, as this, the only link by means 
of w r hich that happy family can be con- 
nected with the boy John, turns to ashes, 
let us hope that our decision has been for 
the best. (At this point the committee 
burned in the presence of the audience the 
paper showing the name of the Boy John.) 

And now, in conclusion, we, the present 
members of Howard Lodge, are proud to 
be able to present to you such an ilustra- 
tion of what Odd Fellowship has done in 
the past, and is now doing all over this 
broad land of ours for the alleviation of 
human misery. 

We feel proud to be able to say that the 
names of such men as composed this lodge 
in its early days are on our records. They 
have by their acts added to our crown a 
jewel that will continue to shed its radiance 



Or Truth is Stranger than Fiction. 87 

in long years to come, ever as bright as it 
glows to-night almost fifty years after its 
setting. We feel confident that we could 
not by any means in our power have been 
able to procure an orator who would have 
been capable with all of his powers of elo- 
quence to pronounce such an encomium 
upon Odd Fellowship as the reading of this 
simple, true, little narrative has been. 

Thanking you for your attention and 
your presence here to-night, and hoping 
that you have been interested, we will with- 
draw "The Boy John" from the gaze of the 
public. 

Note. — The only fictitious name appear- 
ing in this story is that of the man George. 
The true name is withheld for reasons that 
are apparent to the reader. 



History of Howard Lodge No. 15. 89 

A Brief History of Howard Lodge No* 15, 
L CX CX F*, of Shelby ville, Kentucky* 

Howard Lodge No. 15 was organized 
November 9, 1843; instituted November 16, 
1843; incorporated January 1, 1855, as 
show T n on Record Book, page 213. 

The first lodge of Odd Fellows organized 
in the United States was at Baltimore, 
Maryland, on the 26th day of April, 1819, 
under the jurisdiction of the Manchester 
Order of England, 

During the year 1842 the members of the 
order in the United States having become 
dissatisfied with the management of the 
parent Society, withdrew and formed them- 
selves into a separate organization with 
new rituals and manner of work, and 
adopted the name which has since become 
so honorable, The Independent Order of Odd 
Felloivs. 

The first lodge in Kentucky was organ- 



90 History of Howard Lodge No. 15, 

ized in Louisville, January 28, 1833, and 
was called Boone Lodge No. 1. 

On March 17, 1835, Chosen Friends Lodge 
No. 2 was organized, and in the same year 
the Grand Lodge of Kentucky was also or- 
ganized. At that time there were only 170 
members and three lodges in the state. Now 
there are about 10,000 members and about 
200 lodges doing active work. 

The order in Kentucky was in its infancy 
when the following notice appeared in a 
weekly paper published at Shelby ville, Ky. ? 
called the Shelby News: 

"Brothers of the I. O. O. F. in this place, 
who are in good standing will meet at seven 
o'clock this, Wednesday night, at the room 
over the store of W. H. Merriwether. Per- 
sons desirous of becoming members of the 
order will meet as above." 

Agreeable to that notice, on the night of 
November 9, 1843, there were assembled 
the Grand Master of the state, James L. 
Lithgow, of Louisville, Ky., assisted by 



ShelbyviUe, Ky. 91 

other Grand officers, and they duly organ* 
ized Howard Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. F., with 
the following charter members: John C. 
Bull, Jos. L. Silcox, George Caplinger, 
Thomas Williams, Jno. B. Hinkle and F. 
Cunningham. 

The lodge on this, its first meeting, re- 
ceived seven petitions for membership. 

This was the beginning of the work of 
Howard Lodge in the cause of humanity, 
which has continued for more than half a 
century. 

It must be recollected that Howard 
Lodge is a benevolent and charitable or- 
ganization, and not a great financial cor- 
poration with unlimited resources. 

The revenue of this institution is almost 
wholly derived from the weekly dues of its 
members, and these dues are ten cents each 
per week, or f 5.20 per year. 

The good work accomplished shows what 
may be done by union and organization. 

The receipts of Howard Lodge from its 



92 History of Howard Lodge No. 15, 

organization in 1843 until its fiftieth anni- 
versary celebration amounted to $19,423.53. 

The good which has been accomplished 
with this sum will never be known by the 
community, and the members of the lodge, 
at this time, would be amazed if they real- 
ized the full extent of the distribution. 

With the exception of the small balance 
now in the treasury, every cent of this sum 
has been spent in deeds of charity; first, to 
the members, and, second, to all deserving, 
distressed and afflicted persons. 

The motto of Odd Fellowship is Friend- 
ship, Love and Truth, and these impel our 
order to observe cases which might not ap- 
peal to every one, hence, Howard Lodge 
has unquestionably relieved many cases of 
distress that were unknown outside of the 
lodge room. 

Howard Lodge to the 27th day of April, 
1896, had enrolled 265 members. It had 
furnished several Grand officers to the 
Grand Lodge and upon its roll some of the 



ShelbyviUe, Ky. 93 

very best citizens, who in the past fifty 
years have called ShelbyviUe "home." 

From June 30, 1873, to April 27, 1896, 
Howard Lodge paid 438 weeks' sick bene- 
fits with an average membership of forty, 
and, estimating from this basis, the preced- 
ing thirty years which averaged seventy- 
five, it is found that over 1,300 weekly sick 
benefits had been paid. 

For the burying of the dead and the edu 
cation of the orphan it has contributed 
large sums. 

The amount Howard Lodge has contrib- 
uted to worthy charity will far exceed the 
amount paid in weekly benefits; for an ex- 
animation of the records shows that How- 
ard Lodge had been represented upon eyevy 
occasion that had arisen in Shelby county, 
when it became necessary to obtain money 
for the relief of any distressed portion of 
our common country, such as in the yellow 
fever epidemics in the South, the Kansas 



94 History of Hoivard Lodge No. 15, 

sufferers, the Chicago fire, Ireland's famine, 
the Johnstown flood and other calamity- 
affected parts of the world. 

Howard Lodge has never permitted a 
single instance to pass where its mite 
could be contributed for the relief of dis- 
tress and want. 

Howard Lodge also contributed to the 
Washington Monument, in 1849, and a 
stone represents it therein. 

It is a noteworthy fact that while How- 
ard Lodge had been thus active in the cause 
of humanity from its scanty stores, it had 
never received from any outside source do- 
nations of money, except once, and upon 
the following occasion: On July 1, 1873, 
the young ladies composing the "Eutopean 
Society/' of Science Hill School, founded 
by Mrs. Julia A. Tevis, in Shelbyville, gave 
to Howard Lodge one-half of the proceeds 
from an entertainment given by them, 
amounting to $31. 



Shelbyville, Ky. 95 

Of local interest we mention the follow- 
ing: 

The room in which Howard Lodge was 
organized was located on the south side of 
Main street, in Shelbyville, between Fifth 
and Sixth streets, where the store of J. J. 
Ramsey & Bro. is. The lodge continued 
to meet there until February, 1844, when 
it was removed a few doors east, into a 
building on the site of the store room now 
occupied by C. Schradski. On May 6, 1844, 
a public celebration was held at Shelby- 
ville, upon which occasion there were 
700 Odd Fellows present, representing 
lodges of Louisville, Frankfort, Harrods- 
burg, Danville, Lexington and Lancaster. 
There were no railroads and but few turn- 
pikes at that time, and some of the visiting 
brothers were compelled to travel by horse- 
back or in vehicles 75 or 100 miles, but they 
bore discomfort cheerfully, and were earn- 
est and zealous in the worthy cause. 

April 26, 1845, a number of brothers vis- 



96 Histonj of Howard Lodge No. 15, 

ited Harrodsburg, Ky., to assist in a cele- 
bration at that place. 

On September 8, 1845, a large delegation 
from Howard Lodge joined in the proces- 
sion and took part in the services incident 
to the re-interment of the remains of Daniel 
Boone and wife, at Frankfort, Ky. Until 
the close of the year 1846, the terms of the 
lodge were quarterly; at that time they 
were made semi-annual, as now. The seal 
now in use by Howard Lodge was received 
and first used on March 29, 1847. 

June 7, 1847, the lodge was removed into 
a room fitted for it, and located where the 
present Baptist Church stands. 

On May 1, 1850, in conjunction with the 
Daughters of Temperance, Howard Lodge 
held a celebration at Shelbyville, which 
was largely attended. 

On April 14, 1851, six brothers withdrew 
cards and organized a lodge at Simpson- 
ville, in Shelby county. 

Howard Lodge had grown, at this time, 



Shelbyville, Ky. 97 

to such proportions that it was thought 
advisable to divide it and a number of 
brothers withdrew and organized Shelby 
Lodge; but this step was ill-advised. 
Shelby Lodge existed seven or eight years, 
and then surrendered its charter. 

On July 14, 1852, memorial services, in 
honor of Henry Clay, the great Commoner, 
were held in what was known as Lively's 
Woods, where the "Banner Flouring Mill" 
of Logan & Logan is situated. Howard 
Lodge participated in the exercises as a 
body, and the community almost as a unit. 

On May 10, 1858, Howard Lodge was 
moved into a building which stood on the 
north side of Main street, between Fifth 
and Sixth, on the site where A. Rothchild 
& Son are engaged in the clothing business. 

The breaking out of the Civil War in 
1861 caused dire distress among all classes 
of our citizens, and meetings of Howard 
Lodge were few in number, and held at un- 
certain periods, viz: August 25, 1862; 
December 23, 1863, and June 26, 1865. 

7 



N H- : /Toward L-' r V:. is. 

On July 31, 1S65, Howard Lodge moved 
into Petry's Hall, on Sixth street, where it 
continued until October 21. 1871, when it 
removed own lodge room, having 

jointly purchased a lot and built on the 
public square, and now is the property of 
the city of Shelbyville. or -City Hall." 

A public installation of oft: li held 

at Layson Hall. Januai 
by the State Grand officers. 

During the winter of 1SS0-1-2. a number 
of open meeting . which w< 

much enjoyed by our brothers, and erea~ 
an interest in the community in th* 1 - cause 
of Odd Fellowship. 

On November 9. 1893, the fiftieth anni- 
versary of Howard Lodge was held at Lar- 
son Hall. Shelbyville. Ky., Past Grand M 
ter W. H. Holt, of Frankfort. Ky.. deliver- 
ing the address. 

In 1895, the increase in membership was 
about fifty per cent tifrek that of th 
ten years. 



List of Members of Howard Lodge 

from organization in 1843 to present time, 1897— showing 

when initiated; how withdrew; how and when 

reinstated, when died f and those still Irving. 



tnation. — ■*C." for car:': X. P. D 
for non-payment of du - 



CHARTER MEMBERS. 



Bull. Jno. C. initiated Nov. 9. 1S43; withdrew 
by card, Dee. 4, 1848. 

Caplinger. Geo. W\. initiated Xov. 9. 1S43: with- 
drew by card. Xov. 16. 1S43. 

Cunningham.. F., initiated XV 
drew by card. Xov. . 

Hinkle. Jno. B.. initiated Xov. 9. 1S43: withdrew 

by card. Xov. 16, 1843. 
-ilcox, Jos. L.. initiated Xov. •? ithdrew 

by card, Xov. : 
. Williams. Thos., initiated Xov. 9. 1S43 : with- 
drew by card, Xov. 16. If 



1 00 Lid of Members 



ALPHABETICAL LIST. 

A 

1847. Astley, William, initiated April 26, 1847; with- 
drew by card, June 18, 1847. 

1847. Adams, Philip, initiated July 26, 1847; died at 

Florence, Texas, Sept. 6, 1890. 

1848. Atherton, Wm. S., initiated June 5, 1848; died at 

Shelbyville, Ky., March 19, 1855. 

1850. Allen, Jas. C, initiated Sept. 2, 1850; N. P. D., 

Jan. 9, 1855. 

1851. Adams, Sam'l G„ initiated Sept. 15, 1851; N. P. 

D., Sept. 13, 1858. 

1852. Adler, Jacob, initiated Dec. 6, 1852; withdrew 

by card, Aug. 25, 1856. 

1854. Adams, Geo. E., initiated Jan. 2, 1854; with- 

drew by card, Feb. 9, 1854; reinstated by 
card, Feb. 18, 1855; withdrew by card, 
Oct. 2, 1865. 

1855. Armstrong, Geo. A., admitted by card, June 25, 

1855; withdrew by card, Nov. 19, 1860. 
1855. Atherton, O. B., admitted by card, Aug. 13, 1855; 

N. P. D., Sept. 13, 1858; reinstated, April 

25, 1859; withdrew by card, Jan. 30, 1860. 
1869. Anderson, L. E., initiated Sept. 29, 1869; N. P. 

D., April 3, 1877, reinstated Dec. 24, 1878; 

withdrew by card, Oct. 4, 1884. 



Howard Lodge No. 15. 101 

1869. Arnold, James E., initiated Dec. 7, 1869; N. P. 
D., April 3, 1877. 

1875. Allen, Jas. B., initiated May 25, 1875; N. P. D., 

March 4, 1879. 

1876. Atherton, W. S., initiated Sept. 19, 1876; with- 

drew by card, Jan. 19, 1892. 
1888. Adams, J. P., admitted by card, Jan. 3, 1888; 

living. 
1895. Adams, Warner, initiated June 28, 1895; living. 
1897. Abraham, Jacob, admitted by card, Jan. 26, 

1897; living. 

B 

1843. Bacon, T., initiated Nov. 16, 1843; withdrew by 

card, Aug. 5, 1850. 

1844. Brown, Oscar, initiated Feb. 26, 1844; withdrew 

by card, Jan. 31, 1848. 

1844. Blackiston, Ben F., initiated May 2, 1844; with- 
drew by card, April 12, 1870; reinstated by 
card Nov. 8, 1870; died at New Albany, 
Ind., May 13, 1893. 

1844. Brown, John, initiated May 20, 1844; withdrew 
by card, Sept. 30, 1850. 

1844. Boyd, Byram, initiated Dec. 2, 1844; withdrew 
by card, Feb. 6, 1848. 

1847. Britton, Robt. A., initiated Oct. 7, 1847; with- 

drew by card, Nov. 25, 1849. 

1848. Broaddus, W. F., admitted by card, Dec. 11, 

1848; N. P. D., Jan. 1, 1850. 



102 List of Members 

1848. Beall, Jas. F., initiated Dec. 25, 1848; died at 

Shelbyville, Jan. 6, 1852. 

1849. Bell, Patterson J., initiated Feb. 12, 1849; died 

at Shelbyville, Ky., May 7, 1850. 

1850. Brown, Thos W., initiated May 13, 1850; with- 

drew by card, June 23, 1851. 

1850. Boswell, J. R., initiated Aug. 12, 1850; died Dec. 

19, 1852. 

1851. Blumer, Chas. E., initiated Dec. 15, 1851; 

withdrew by card, Nov. 16, 1855; reinstated 
by card, June 2, 1856; withdrew by card, 
Sept. 2, 1856; reinstated by card, May 4, 
1857; N. P. D., April 28, 1868. 

1854. Brown, Wm, initiated May 15, 1854; N. P. D., 
Dec. 25, 1865. 

1860. Bellwood, R. B., admitted by card, Oct. 22, 1860; 
withdrew by card, Aug. 12, 1867. 

1868. Berry, Geo. L., initiated May 4, 1868; N. P. D., 

Dec. 15, 1874. 

1869. Baker, Chas., initiated Dec. 21, 1869; withdrew 

by card, Nov. 7, 1871. 
1871. Baker, Jas. B., initiated Nov. 7, 1871; N. P. D., 

Dec. 15, 1874. 
1875. Brown, Jas. W., initiated Sept. 7, 1875; N. P. D., 

Dec. 26, 1882. 
1875. Brown, J. T., initiated Sept. 7, 1875; N. P. D., 

Aug. 30, 1881. 
1884. Bodkin, J. Wilson, initiated Feb. 12, 1884; living. 
1893. Bilyeu, Chas., initiated Oct. 10, 1893; living. 



Hmvard Lodge No. 15. 103 

1893. Bennett, Ben F., initiated Oct. 24, 1893; living. 
1893. Bilyeu, Carlos, admitted by card, Nov. 7, 1893; 

withdrew by card, March 19, 1895. 
1893. . Bailey, T. C, initiated Nov. 21, 1893; living. 
1893. Beard, P. J., initiated Dec. 5, 1893; living. 
1893. Bland, T. E., initiated Dec. 12, 1893; living. 

1893. Ballard, Camden W., initiated Dec. 19, 1893; 

living. 

1894. Bryan, J. T., M. D., initiated Jan. 2, 1894; N. P. 

D., Aug. 11, 1896. 
1894. Bell, W. T., admitted by card, June 22, 1894; 
living. 

C 

1844. Chinn, Hector A., initiated March 18, 1844; with- 
drew by card, Oct. 18, 1858. 

1846. Coots, Jno. M., initiated Jan. 19, 1846; N. P. D., 

April 24, 1854. 

1847. Clemison, Wm, initiated June 7, 1847; with- 

drew by card, July 27, 1852. 

1851. Chinn, Jno. F„ Jan. 20, 1851; living. 

1851. Cochran, Thos. B., initiated April 28, 1851; with- 
drew by card, Oct. 24, 1853. 

1851. Crafton, John, initiated Sept. 1, 1851; N. P. D., 

Aug. 21, 1854. 

1852. Coots, Reuben M., initiated March 22, 1852; N. 

P. D., Sept. 13, 1858. 
1854. Cardwell, Jesse J., initiated May 8 t 1854; died 
July 18, 1856. 



1 04 List of Members 

1858. Churchill, J. S., initiated Feb. 22, 1858 ; withdrew 

by card, Jan. 14, 1861. 
1868. Choate, Harry, initiated May 4, 1868; died at 

Shelbyville, Ky., March 25, 1895. 

1868. Cook, Thos E., initiated May 4, 1868; N. P. D., 

March 4, 1879. 

1869. Churchill, Chas. W., initiated Feb. 1, 1869; with- 

drew by card, July 4, 1871. 

1872. Cook, A. B., initiated March 26, 1872; N. P. D., 
Dec. 15, 1874. 

1875. Carson, C. W., initiated June 1, 1875; N. P. D„ 
Sept. 10, 1878. 

1875. Carrithers, A. T., initiated June 15, 1875; with- 
drew by card, Feb. 6, 1877. 

1877. Coleman, J. B., admitted by card, Jan. 9, 1877; 
withdrew by card, March 6, 1877. 

1879. Caspar, Chas., admitted by card, Oct. 14, 1879; 
N. P. D., Nov. 17, 1885. 

1879. Cozine, Jno. P., admitted by card, Dec. 30, 1879; 

died at Shelbyville, Ky., Jan. 27, 1897. 

1880. Culter, W. M., admitted by card, Feb. 10, 1880; 

N. P. D., July 31, 1883. 

1881. Coots, B. M., initiated April 26, 1881; withdrew 

by card, May 30, 1882. 
1892. Choate, Geo. L., initiated Oct. 4, 1892; living. 
1896. Carter, C. D., initiated May 12, 1896; living. 






Howard Lodge No. 15. 105 

D 

1848. Dolph, John, admitted by card, Aug. 14, 1848; 

N. P. D., Feb. 9, 1852. 

1849. Dunn, Jas. H., initiated Jan. 8, 1849; died at 

Shelbyville, Ky., July 27, 1897. 
1849. Dorsey, R. M., initiated Feb. 19, 1849; withdrew 

by card, July 6, 1857. 
1849. Dighton, A. J., initiated Oct. 8, 1849; withdrew 

by card, Aug. 27, 1850. 
1851. Davis, Wm. F., initiated April 28, 1851; N. P. D„ 

Feb. 19, 1855; reinstated, Nov. 8, 1858; 

withdrew by card, Nov. 8, 1858. 
1856. Drane, T. J., Rev., admitted by card, Jan. 21, 

1856; withdrew by card, June 30, 1856. 
1856. Demaree, Geo. W„ initiated Feb. 4, 1856; N. P. 

D., Sept. 13, 1858. 
1869. Denny, Daniel, initiated Jan. 18, 1869; N. P. D., 

July 28, 1874. 
1869. Duvall, Hugh T., initiated April 19, 1869; living. 
1874. Dunn, J. H., Jr., initiated Jan. 6, 1874; living. 
1883. Dunn, Victor, initiated Jan. 1, 1883; living. 
1885. Dunn, L. C, initiated June 30, 1885; living. 
1893. Doss, E. J., admitted by card, Nov. 21, 1893; 

living. 
1897. Davis, W. E., admitted by card, Jan. 19, 1897; 

living. 
1897. Dunn, L. M., initiated Aug. 17, 1897; living. 



106 List of Members 

E 

1846. Ellingwood, Jas. L., initiated May 11, 1846 ; with- 

drew by card, Oct. 18, 1858. 

1847. Edwards, Wm. L., initiated May 10, 1847; with- 

drew by card, June 18, 1847. 

1872. Ellis, Thomas, initiated June 18, 1872; N. P. D., 

July 31, 1883. 

F 

1843. Ford, R., initiated Nov. 16, 1843; N. P. D„ Nov. 

7, 1853. 

1845. Fishback, Geo. W., initiated May 5, 1845; died 

at Shelbyville, Ky., June 1, 1876. 

1846. Fulton, John, initiated Jan. 12, 1846; N. P. D. ? 

Sept. 13, 1858. 
1855. Frederick, Lewis, initiated May 7, 1855; with- 
drew by card, Dec. 10, 1855. 

1873. Fenn, Harry S., initiated Feb. 25, 1873; N. P. D. y 

June 27, 1876. 

1894. Fawkes, John, initiated April 3, 1894; living. 

1895. Finnell, H. T., initiated July 2, 1895; living. 

G 

1844. Glass, Robt. W., initiated Feb. 26, 1844; with- 

drew by card, June 23, 1851. 
1844. Gibson, Chas., initiated Dec. 9, 1844; withdrew 
by card, Sept. 3, 1849. 



Howard Lodge No. 15. 107 

1846. Gore, Chas. A., initiated Jan. 26, 1846; with- 
drew by card, June 23, 1851. 

1848. Graham, S. Benj., initiated Feb. 28, 1848; ex- 
pelled, March 26, 1849. 

1848. Gruber, Lewis H., initiated March 6, 1848; with- 
drew by card, Oct. 6, 1851; reinstated by 
card, July 24, 1854; withdrew by card, 
between Aug., 1862, and Dec, 1862; rein- 
stated by card, June 18, 1868; living. 

1848. Grinsley, Jos. W., initiated March 7, 1848; with- 
drew by card Jan. 14, 1851. 

1848. Garrett, L. B., initiated Aug. 28, 1848; N. P. D., 

Feb. 9, 1852. 

1849. Grant, E. A., initiated Oct. 29, 1849; withdrew 

by card, March 18, 1850. 
1856. Griffin, A. E., admitted by card, Sept. 15, 1856; 

withdrew by card, April 6, 1857. 
1872. Gibson, Jno. E., admitted by card, Dec. 3, 1872; 

N. P. D., Aug. 30, 1881. 
1882. Gruber, Lynn T., initiated Jan. 17, 1882; living. 
1884. Gruber, Henry C, initiated Feb. 12, 1884; living. 
1893. Gambril, John, initiated Nov. 28, 1893; N. P. D., 

April 20, 1897. 
1893. Glenn, A. J., initiated Nov. 28, 1893; living. 

H 

1843. Hill, W. F., initiated Nov. 16, 1843; N. P. D., 
Nov. 7, 1853. 



108 List of Members 

1843. Hastings, Henry L., initiated Nov. 16, 1843; 

expelled, Feb. 24, 1851. 

1844. Hewlett, Jas. E., initiated Feb. 26, 1844; with- 

drew by card, June 23, 1851. 
1844. Hall, Joseph, initiated Feb. 26, 1844; withdrew 
by card, June 23, 1851. 

1848. Hall, John, initiated Jan. 31, 1848; N. P. D., 

July 21, 1856. 

1849. Hastings, John D., initiated Feb. 19, 1849; N. P. 

D., Sept. 13, 1858. 
1849. Humphreys, Geo. W., initiated Feb. 26, 1849; 

N. P. D., March 1, 1852. 
1853. Hicks, Erasmus B., initiated Nov. 21, 1853; died 

at Shelbyville, Ky., Feb. 25, 1856. 
1858. Hagist, G. F., initiated Feb. 22, 1858; withdrew 

by card, Nov. 15, 1858. 

1868. Huber, Lewis A., initiated May 11, 1868; with- 

drew by card, Oct. 12, 1868. 

1869. Humes, Chas. W., initiated Feb. 1, 1869; N. P. 

D., Sept. 15, 1885. 
1869. Hickman, H. Pierce, initiated Feb. 8, 1869; N. 
P. D., Dec. 15, 1874. 

1869. Hope, John N., initiated Aug. 23, 1869; N. P. D., 

April 3, 1877. 

1870. Humes, Geo. B., initiated Jan. 11, 1870; living. 
1870. Hastings, Jno. F., initiated March 15, 1870; liv- 
ing. 

1870. Humes, Creighton F., initiated April 12, 1870; 
living. 



Howard Lodge No. 15. 109 

1871. Heaton, Jno. S., initiated May 9, 1871; N. P. D., 

Aug. 30, 1881; reinstated Dec. 19, 1893; 

living. 
1871. . Harrihan, J. T., initiated Oct. 24, 1871; N. P. D., 

Dec. 15, 1874. 
1875. Holland, L. M., initiated Jan. 26, 1875; N. P. D., 

Aug. 30, 1881. 

1875. Hollenbach, A., initiated Nov. 16, 1875; N. P. D., 

Sept. 10, 1878. 

1876. Hershey, James, initiated March 28, 1876; N. P. 

D„ Sept. 10, 1878. 

1887. Hastings, W. P., initiated March 5, 1887; N. P. 
D., Aug. 11, 1896. 

1894. Hutton, C. G., initiated March 6, 1894; with- 
drew by card, June 12, 1894; reinstated 
by card, Oct. 16, 1894; withdrew by card, 
July 9, 1895. 

J 

1843. Johnston, Geo. W., initiated Nov. 21, 1843; with- 
drew by card, Oct. 4, 1852. 

1846. Johnston, H. P., initiated April 13, 1846; with- 

drew by card, May 24, 1846; reinstated by 
card, Sept. 4, 1848; withdrew by card, 
Dec. 6, 1852. 

1847. Jones, W. W., initiated Nov. 1, 1847; withdrew 

by card, April 9, 1849. 
1870. Jones, Robt. L., initiated Jan. 25, 1870; N. P. 
D., March 4, 1879. 



110 List of Members 

1871. Jones, Shelby W., initiated June 20, 1871; N. 

P. D., Aug. 30, 1881. 

1872. Johnson, Chas. H., initiated March 12, 1872; 

withdrew by card, Oct. 4, 1881. 
1892. Jones, Ed. P., initiated Dec. 29, 1892; N. P. D., 

April 2, 1895. 
1896. Johnson, Richard G., initiated May 26, 1896; 

living. 



1843. Knight, W. T., initiated Nov. 21, 1843; N. P. D., 
April 24, 1854. 

1845. Knott, Jos. P., initiated Feb. 10, 1845; with- 
drew by card, Dec. 20, 1847. 

1856. Knefler, Jos. admitted by card, April 14, 1856; 
withdrew by card, June 27, 1859. 

1870. Krueger, Fred., initiated Nov. 1, 1870; with- 

drew by card, March 15, 1881. 

1871. Krueger, Henry., initiated Feb. 28, 1871; N. P. 

D., July 31, 1883. 

1871. Krueger, Louis A., initiated Feb. 28, 1871; with- 
drew by card, Sept. 13, 1881. 

1871. Kestler, Jos., initiated June 27, 1871; N. P. D., 
March 28, 1876. 

1871. Kinkle, Chas., initiated Sept. 19, 1871; with- 
drew by card, Jan. 6, 1874. 

1875. Kuttner, J. H., admitted by card, Jan. 26, 1875; 
N. P. D., July 31, 1883. 



Hvward Lodge No. 15. Ill 

1875. Kinkead, Warner S., initiated May 11, 1875; N. 

P. D., July 28, 1884. 
1875. Kinkead, Samuel E., initiated June 15, 1875; 

died at Lousiville, Ky., April 3, 1883. 

1892. Kinser, W. N., initiated Oct. 18, 1892; living. 

1893. Kirk, Sidney S., initiated April 11, 1893; living. 

L 

1852. Longest, James, initiated March 22, 1852; with- 
drew by card, Jan. 30, 1854. 

1856. Louenthall, Simpson, initiated Feb. 11, 1856; 
withdrew by card, July 8, 1856. 

1858. Lawell, A. V., initiated Feb. 14, 1858; withdrew 
by card, July 24, 1865. 

1868. Layson, Hercules, initiated June 1, 1868; N. P. 
D., June 12, 1877. 

1871. Luthin, Ferd, initiated Feb. 14, 1871; N. P. D., 
July 29, 1884; reinstated April 9, 1889; 
living. 

1880. Logan, R. F., Dr., initiated Feb. 17, 1880; with- 
drew by card, Nov. 23, 1880; reinstated by 
card, Nov. 29, 1881; N. P. D., Oct. 30, 1888. 

M 

1844. Middleton, Henri F., initiated Feb. 26, 1844; 

died at Shelbyville, Ky., Sept. 11, 1878. 
1846. Miller, Jno. L., admitted by card, Oct. 12, 1846; 

withdrew by card, Jan. 9, 1848. 



112 List of Members 

1847. Miller, Daniel, initiated June 7, 1847; N. P. D., 
Dec. 30, 1848. 

1847. Martin, Benj., initiated Aug. 30, 1847; withdrew 
by card, April 14, 1851. 

1847. Martin, Woodford C, initiated Aug. 30, 1847; 
withdrew by card, April 14, 1851. 

1853. Maddox, Harvey P., initiated Nov. 21, 1853; 
withdrew by card, Oct. 8, 1855. 

1855. Martin, R. A. C, admitted by card, Aug. 13, 
1855; murdered by James Boys, May 29, 
1872. 

1869. Minter, Geo. W., initiated Aug. 16, 1869; with- 
drew by card, Dec. 31, 1870. 

1871. Moore, Jas. W., initiated Oct. 17, 1871; N. P. D., 
March 4, 1879. 

1876. Mitchell, Samuel O., admitted by card, April 4, 
1876; withdrew by card, Nov. 1884; rein- 
stated by card, July 28, 1885; N. P. D 
July 10, 1885; reinstated by card, July 1, 
1888; withdrew by card, Jan. 15, 1889. 

1892. Matthews, Chas., initiated Oct. 25, 1892; living. 

1894. Morgan, Elijah, admitted by card, March 27, 
1894; living. 

1897. Marcum, C. H., initiated Jan. 19, 1897; living. 

1844. McDonald, Jno. A., initiated May 20, 1844; with- 
drew by card, Aug. 27, 1849. 

1844. McDavitt, George, initiated June 3, 1844; died 
July 24, 1855. 



Howard Lodge No. 15. 113 

1846. McHenry, Martin D., Jr., initiated April 13, 

1846; withdrew by card, July 1, 1848. 

1848. McFadden, Wm, admitted by card, May 8, 1848; 

withdrew by card, June 5, 1848. 

1849. McKay, A. H., initiated Sept. 17, 1849; N. P. D., 

Sept. 13, 1858. 

1870. McDonald, John, initiated June 21, 1870; N. P. 

D., Dec. 15, 1874. 

1871. McKenney, Jesse P., initiated Aug. 22, 1871; 

N. P. D., July 10, 1888. 
1875. McDonald, Duncan, initiated Feb. 16, 1875; died 
at Shelbyville, Ky., Nov. 12, 1892. 

N 

1844. Neel, Fielding, initiated Feb. 26, 1844; with- 
drew by card, July 21, 1851; reinstated by 
card, Aug. 13, 1855; withdrew by card, 
Sept. 1, 1856. 

1847. Neel, Wm. F., initiated May 10, 1847; withdrew 

by card, July 18, 1847. 

1849. Neel, Richard, initiated June 4, 1849; withdrew 

by card, June J 22f A 1851; reinstated by 
card, Aug. 13, 1855; N. P. D., Sept. 13, 1858. 

1850. Nicols, Smith, admitted by card, Jan. 14, 1850; 

withdrew by card, Oct. 7, 1850. 
1869. Northcutt, H. C, Rev., initiated March 1, 1869; 
N. P. D., Dec. 15, 1874. 
8 



114 List of Members 

O 

1880. Osborn, J. M., initiated Feb. 24, 1880; N. P. D., 
July 29, 1884. 

P 

1847. Porter, John S., initiated Dec. 20, 1847; N. P. D., 

April 24, 1854. 
1849. Pomeroy, G. A. K., initiated May 21, 1849; N. 

P. D., Dec, 30, 1856. 
1856. Palmer, T. R., Rev., initiated March 17, 1856; 

withdrew by card, Sept. 4, 1865. 
1868. Parrent, Wm. P., initiated May 4, 1868; died 

Jan., 1870. 
1868. Putnam, A. V., initiated May 11, 1868; N. P. D., 

Dec. 15, 1874. 
1880. Pemberton, Jno. B., initiated Feb. 24, 1880; N. 

P. D., July 27, 1886; reinstated, Dec. 13, 

1892; living. 
1893. Poulter, Chas. D., initiated May 23, 1893; living. 

R 

1843. Rogers, W. G., initiated Nov. 16, 1843; with- 
drew by card, Oct. 1, 1849. 

1845. Reynolds, Jas. M., initiated April 14, 1845; with- 
drew by card, Dec. 29, 1845. 

1845. Redding, Joseph, admitted by card, Dec. 29, 
1845; withdrew by card, June 30, 1847. 



Howard Lodge No. 15. 115 

1846. Ross, Samuel C, initiated Jan. 12, 1846; with- 
drew by card, July 21, 1851. 

1846. Rowden, Geo. W., initiated Feb. 23, 1846; died 
at Shelby ville, Ky., Aug. 1, 1870. 

1846. Redding, Robt. H., initiated Feb. 23, 1846; died 
March 30, 1853. 

1846. Robinson, Samuel L., initiated Aug. 17, 1846; 
withdrew by card, Oct. 1, 1847. 

1846. Redmon, Wm. G., admitted by card, Dec. 14, 

1846; withdrew by card, June 18, 1847; 
reinstated, Nov. 27, 1848; withdrew by 
card, Jan. 1, 1850. 

1847. Ranck, Solomon, initiated July 5, 1847; died 

Aug. 16, 1862. 
1847. Reardon, John, admitted by card Aug. 9, 1847; 
N. P. D., Sept. 13, 1858. 

1847. Robb, Jerome B., initiated Aug. 23, 1847; with- 

drew by card, March 4, 1850. 

1848. Robinson, Geo. N., admitted by card, Oct. 30, 

1848; withdrew by card, Dec. 1, 1852. 

1849. Richardson, Jno. M., initiated Feb. 19, 1849; N. 

P. D., April 24, 1854. 
1849. Ratcliffe, Samuel A., initiated Sept. 17, 1849; 

withdrew by card, April 2, 1860. 
1854. Robinson, Zachariah H., initiated Nov. 13, 1854; 

withdrew by card, June 30, 1856. 
1869. Randolph, Anson D. F., initiated Jan. 11, 1869; 

N. P. D., Dec. 15, 1874. 



116 List of Members 

1869. Rothchild, Abraham, initiated Aug. 30, 1869; 
living. 

1871. Rapp, Adolph, initiated May 23, 1871; with- 
drew by card, Feb. 20, 1872. 

1871. Reiser, Jno. C, initiated Aug. 15, 1871; N. P. D., 
July 31, 1883. 

1873. Raines, Jno. M., initiated May 20, 1873; N. P. D., 
Feb. 4, 1890. 

1876. Reed, Dan K, admitted by card, Mar. 14, 1876; 
N. P. D., March 4, 1879. 

1895. Rothchild, Leon, initiated March 19, 1895; liv- 
ing. 

1895. Ritchie, W. H., admitted by card, Dec. 31, 1895; 
living. 

S 

1846. Sublett, Win., initiated Jan. 26, 1846; withdrew 
by card, Aug. 13, 1849. 

1846. Smith, Samuel P., initiated March 30, 1846; 

withdrew by card, June 30, 1847. 

1847. Smith, J. W. W., initiated May 31, 1847; ex- 

pelled, Oct. 1, 1849. 

1848. Spillman, Jas. E., admitted by card, June 19, 

1848; withdrew by card, Oct. 2, 1848. 

1849. Scott, Morton, admitted by card, Feb. 12, 1849; 

withdrew by card, March 4, 1850. 
1849. Stacey, J. M., initiated Aug. 13, 1849; withdrew 
by card, Jan. 19, 1852. 



Howard Lodge No. 15. 117 

1849. Shindler, G. C, initiated Oct. 1, 1849; withdrew 
by card Oct 17, 1853 

1851. Shinnick, Wm., initiated July 14, 1851; N. P. D., 

Dec. 17, 1860. 

1852. Stewart, Wm., initiated May 10, 1852; N. P. D., 

April 24, 1854. 

1855. Shafar, L. W., admitted by card, Aug. 20, 1855; 

N. P. D., Sept. 13, 1858. 

1856. Shindler, Jno. B., initiated Feb. 18, 1856; N. P. 

D., March 19, 1860. 

1857. Solomon, Julius, initiated June 29, 1857; with- 

drew by card, June 17, 1865. 

1868. Schnell, Jno. Max, initiated May 25, 1868; N. P. 

D., June 12, 1877. 

1869. Stivers, Gideon J., initiated Aug. 30, 1869; N. 

P. D., Dec. 15, 1874. 
1872. Sanders, Culvin, initiated June 18, 1872; N. P. 

D., Dec. 15, 1874. 
1876. Shipman, Jos., initiated Feb. 8, 1876; N. P. D., 

July 29, 1884; reinstated, Dec. 22, 1892; N. 

P. D., April 2, 1895. 
1880. Scott, Adam, initiated Aug. 24, 1880; N. P. D., 

July 29, 1884. 
1883. Smith, J. H., admitted by card, May 29, 1883; 

N. P. D., Sept. 15, 1885. 
1893. Sparks, J. H., initiated Nov. 28, 1893; living. 



118 List of Members 

T 

1843. Todd, Isaac Shelby, initiated Nov. 16, 1843; N. 

P. D., March 29, 1847. 

1844. Thompson, Root, initiated May 2, 1844, with- 

drew by card, March 5, 1849. 

1844. Todd, Thos. I., admitted by card, Sept. 29, 1844; 
N. P. D., Dec. 28, 1846. 

1844. Torbitt, James, initiated Dec. 9, 1844; with- 
drew by card, Sept. 3, 1849. 

1848. Taylor, Geo. Y., initiated July 31, 1848; with- 
drew by card, Sept. 16, 1850. 

1869. Taylor, W. Z., initiated Aug. 2, 1869; living. 

1875. Taylor, Jesse C, initiated June 22, 1875; N. P. 

D., April 2, 1895. 

1876. Thompson, Seaton E., initiated Aug. 15, 1876; 

withdrew by card, Aug. 17, 1886. 
1883. Thompson, D. J., initiated Nov. 13, 1883; died at 
Shelbyville, Ky., Nov. 23, 1891. 

U 

1868. Ungerman, Henry, initiated May 11, 1868; with- 
drew by card, Aug. 23, 1869. 

V 

1847. Van Vleet, J., initiated April 12, 1847; with- 

drew by card, June 18, 1847. 

1848. Vandyke, P. W., admitted by card, July 24, 

1848; N. P. D., April 24, 1854. 



Hmvard Lodge No. 15. 119 

1849. Venable, Jno. W., admitted by card, Sept. 24, 

1849; withdrew by card, Sept 18, 1854. 
1851. Vandyke, Wm. S., initiated March 10, 1851; N. 
P. D., April 24, 1854. 

W 

1843. Womack, S. V., initiated Nov. 16, 1843; N. P. D., 

Feb. 5, 1848. 

1844. White, Daniel, initiated April 29, 1844; with- 

drew by card, July 21, 1848; reinstated by 
card, Dec. 16, 1850; withdrew by card, 
July 19, 1858. 

1844. Wright, Jno. M., initiated July 15, 1844; with- 

drew by card, Dec. 1, 1845. 

1845. White, John, initiated Oct. 6, 1845; withdrew 

by card, Feb. 28, 1848. 

1845. Williams, Wm. L., initiated Dec. 29, 1845; with- 

drew by card, Dec. 24, 1849. 

1846. Waters, Watson W., initiated Feb. 9, 1846; N. 

P. D., June 30, 1848; reinstated by card, 
Aug. 21, 1848; N. P. D., July 21, 1856. 
1848. Webb, Roland E., initiated May 29, 1848; with- 
drew by card, Aug. 13, 1849. 

1850. Wayne, David, initiated Jan. 21, 1850; living. 
1850. Wehe, Adam, initiated March 25, 1850; with- 
drew by card, Jan. 14, 1851. 

1850. Watts, Chas C, initiated Oct. 14, 1850; N. P. D., 
Feb. 4, 1890. 



120 List of Members, 

1854. Westerfteld, Isaac, initiated Oct. 16, 1854; with- 
drew by card, March 24, 1856. 

1859. Waxier, F. E., initiated June 13, 1859; with- 
drew by card, Dec. 16, 1861. 

1870. Walker, Geo. W., initiated Feb. 22, 1870; N. P. 

D., Dec. 15, 1874. 

1871. Ware, E. M., initiated May 23, 1871; N. P. D., 

Sept. 10, 1878. 
1875. Whalley, Thos. G., initiated June 1, 1875; died 

at Shelbyville, Ky., Aug. 6, 1880. 
1884. Watts, Henri, initiated Dec. 16, 1884; N. P. D., 

Feb. 4, 1890. 
1893. Wayne, Chas. R., initiated June 6, 1893; N. P. 

D., Aug. 11, 1896. 
1893. Weingardner, John, initiated Nov. 28, 1893; N. 

P. D., Aug. 11, 1896. 
1896. Wilhelm, Fred, initiated March 3, 1896; living. 

Z 
1852. Zaring, Norbin B., initiated March 1, 1852; N. 
P. D., March 19, 1860. 




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